Open Your Heart (Kings Grove #4) - Delancey Stewart Page 0,77
said, pulling her to her feet and into my chest so those big dark eyes were staring up at me, “I have to get back to my sister’s wedding so I can make my best man speech.”
I saw the disappointment cross her face, her realization that I was putting her off again, and I struggled with what to do. I couldn’t let my sister down. But I didn’t want to let Harper down again either. I’d done enough of that.
I stepped back and took her hands again, holding them between us. “Look at your hands, they’re shaking. You can’t drive right now anyway. Come back with me, let me make my speech and then we’ll come back here and talk. I have some things I need to say.”
One side of her mouth quirked up just the tiniest bit, but she still didn’t speak.
“Come back to the reception,” I suggested. “I’m not leaving you alone after what just happened, and honestly, I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”
Chapter 20
HARPER
Cam had been right about driving. I got back into my dress as he waited downstairs trying to clean up his suit after scrambling up a dusty hill in it, and my hands shook as I tried to zip the back. My hair had fallen down in places, and I didn’t have the patience or steady fingers to fix it, so I let it all down instead, brushing it out and quickly curling a few ends. It didn’t take long, despite my shaking hands and the pounding of my heart. I tried to focus only on getting ready to go, keeping my mind from considering how close I’d been to real danger just moments ago, or the words Cam had just said, the idea that maybe something had shifted between us.
I let him guide me to the truck once the dogs were safely back inside his house, and I sat still with some relief, my blood still hot in my veins, my head spinning.
“I was terrified,” I realized, speaking in a whisper as Cam started the car. “I thought I really might die today.” A tear escaped the corner of my eye and I wiped it away, determined to keep my mascara in place.
Cam turned to me and put a warm hand to the side of my face, his summer blue eyes wide and warm. “I’d never let anything happen to you,” he said, and warmth washed through me.
We headed back to the reception, and I felt my mind clearing a bit, shock and terror subsiding enough for me to begin worrying over the wisdom of agreeing to come back, even for a few minutes. I’d already said my goodbyes, already committed to leaving. I snuck looks at Cam’s handsome face as he drove, trying to understand what had wrought a sudden change in him, if it was possible he’d really changed his mind. But his eyes stayed focused on the road ahead, and he didn’t offer any more hints about the “things” he wanted to tell me.
For now, I decided, I’d just be happy to be back among friends, around people. After the encounter on the hillside, I didn’t want to be alone, didn’t want to spend hours in my car heading to a place where I’d have to start over. Again.
We arrived at the Outpost and Cam took my hand as he helped me from the car, keeping it trapped in his as he led me up the front steps, through the door and out to the broad deck where the party was in full swing.
As soon as we stepped into view, Chance swept in from beside the buffet and leaned in close to Cam. “We convinced Maddie to put off the speeches until after dinner, just before the cake,” he said. “But I’m glad to see you, I wasn’t sure what the plan was going to be after that.”
Cam said, “Thanks, man,” and clapped Chance’s back. We crossed the deck together, winding through tables as people sat with plates piled high with food, and found Tuck. “Everything okay?” Cam asked him.
Tuck looked from Cam to me, and his handsome face broke into a broad easy smile. “Good to see you back,” he told me, and then his eyes fell to where Cam still held my hand. “Very good,” he said. “I’ve got everything handled. You guys go do wedding things. Have fun. I want to see a dance or two.”