Moving On (Rolling Thunder #7) - P.J. Fiala Page 0,52

posture improved just seeing Greg. She wondered at the miracle of having people you loved and respected in your life and how that reformed even the smallest of things. Attitude was everything.

Her mind continued to wander as she half listened. One thing that struck her hardest was that she and Linda, while they'd always gotten along so well, never really had conversations like Chase and Greg were having now. They chatted about the weather, how she was doing, but never in depth, it was more superficial. It had always been that way though. Sometimes families were incredibly close like Ryder, JT and Gunnar and others weren't. She loved Linda, but in the whole scheme of things they weren't that close. They didn't shop or spend time doing other things together. Thinking on it now, it was a sobering feeling.

"LuAnn?"

She looked up to see both Greg and Chase staring at her. "I'm sorry, my mind wandered, what were you saying?"

Greg chuckled, "I asked you your thoughts on Chase's proposal to move to Colorado."

"Oh. Sorry. I'm curious about seeing it. I'm interested in what Chase thinks of it. And it sounds like an amazing opportunity for him to broaden his design career and really come into his own without being in JT’s shadow."

"Okay... That sounds like the perfect answer someone would want to hear but your tone isn't convincing."

She looked over to Chase and his expression was a mixture of interest and dread. Turning back to Greg, she continued, "I wish I knew how much Chase wants for himself and how much for me. Because..." Glancing at Chase again, she took his hand in hers. "It has to be for you, Chase. You can't turn away from everyone you love here for me. You have to feel it in there ..." she pointed to his heart, "for it to work."

"I do feel it in here." He lay his hand over his heart. "For me and for you. And, I don't think it's bad for me to also want this for you and for us."

Greg then looked at her and asked, "What do you want, LuAnn?"

34

Chase awoke to LuAnn's voice in the other room. Stretching his sore, tired muscles he worked himself up to a sitting position, rather pleased that he could do that much by himself. Progress.

"I appreciate that, thank you. Yes, I certainly will."

Cupboards opened and closed, and his curiosity got the best of him. Their conversation with Greg had been enlightening last night and as a true friend does, he encouraged them both to follow their hearts, even if it meant they'd leave the area, he'd always be there for them.

With a slight grunt, he stood, snagged a clean t-shirt from his top drawer and slipped it over his head as he ambled out of the bedroom and toward the kitchen. His bare feet were silent on the carpeting as he approached the bright dining area, which was just in front of the kitchen. LuAnn stood staring out of the patio doors leading to the backyard, her arms hugging her waist as if she were protecting herself from hurt.

His stomach plummeted as he watched her body, standing so still, contemplating something that seemed like a heavy burden.

"Hey."

She turned at the sound of his voice and her arms unwrapped, and she tucked her fingers into her front pockets.

"Hey."

"What's up?"

She lightly cleared her throat. "I just called Linda this morning to tell her about Colorado. She said it sounded like a great opportunity for you."

He grew wary as he stepped closer to her.

"It is a great opportunity."

"Yeah."

"And?"

"That was it. No, I'll miss you. Oh, you're just getting yourself together, nothing." She walked to the coffee pot and poured two cups. "I'd been thinking last night that I love her, and I know she loves me, but we aren't really close."

She handed him a cup of the steaming, aromatic, brew then turned and opened the oven where the amazing smell of her egg bake filled the room. Turning it in the oven, she closed the door and turned back to him.

"It's kind of sad really. But you know I've never made any real close friends. Last night when Greg came, your shoulders straightened, your mood lifted, and I could see your whole demeanor was changed by having Greg here to talk to. You've made that wonderful connection with him and the Rolling Thunder guys, and I guess, I've never really done that. So, I suppose I'm just having many self-doubts and wondering if