Love Far from Home Box Set Read online

  “That’s...” Michael said, seeming to struggle with words. “That’s beautiful.”

  “You don’t think it’s morbid? Or that I’m taking the last piece of him away from his parents?”

  He shook his head. “Not at all. I think it’s awesome. Besides, it gave you a much better reason for being at the pier today than I had.” He squeezed her hand.

  She grinned at both the action and his words — and at the unspoken invitation to ask the obvious. “So why were you at the beach today — in a suit?”

  He tilted his head one way and then the other, considering. “Let’s get the car. I’ll tell you as we drive.”

  Chapter Six

  Ten minutes later, inside the Mustang and with several miles behind them, Michael finished telling the bare bones of his story.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Alex said.

  He looked over and smiled. “You know, it’s okay. She wasn’t the one.”

  Oddly, Michael hadn’t found talking about Rachel to be hard. Maybe Nate hadn’t been entirely off his rocker, although there was no way Nate could have known that Michael would run into Alex there — the Al, the one person on the planet who could pull him out of this funk.

  He asked questions about Jason, her company, her dreams, how long her trip would be. In return, she asked about his job as a music producer and so much else that had happened since their summer together.

  He told her how he’d tried to find her online after camp — several times — but failed, likely because he hadn’t remembered her full name, he only now realized. And he’d misspelled her last name, too. He’d searched for Al Davies and variations — Alex, Alexandra, Lexi, but he had the last name wrong. And he’d forgotten about the last I, which gave her name one extra syllable: Alexandria.

  They reached C & O Trattoria, the Italian restaurant he’d told her about. He purposely hadn’t mentioned how the place was open air — no roof — or about how the adobe-style walls were hand painted. How at night, tall burners throughout the restaurant kept the ambiance warm and enjoyable. He hoped she’d join in when the servers came in to sing “That’s Amore.” The lyrics were on the back of the menu, so anyone could sing along, and when they did, the whole restaurant felt like a group of old friends.

  He suspected she wasn’t hungry yet, but he had an idea for something to do before dinner.

  The sun dipped below the horizon as he pulled into a parking stall in front of the restaurant’s green awning. As he killed the engine, Alex had her eyes focused down the street, on the sunset in the distance, a pensive look on her face. Michael looked the other way down the street, at C & O Trattoria, back at the sunset, then back at Alex.

  His stomach rumbled with anticipation of the best fettuccine alfredo he’d ever had, even though the crêpes couldn’t have been long ago. He checked his watch and realized that they’d parked at the grocery store almost three hours ago — almost long enough to justify eating again.

  But Alex had a far-off look in her eyes, and he knew why. He’d mentioned Venice Beach being nearby, and while it wasn’t as nice as Santa Monica, it was still the Pacific Ocean. Alex still had a job to do today, and he wanted to be sure she got it done before the sun set on her anniversary.

  “Want to walk down to the beach?” he ventured.

  She blinked as if the action clipped her thoughts. She looked apologetic as she nodded. “Would you mind? I really need to—”

  “I know.” And he did. Nate was on to something about finding closure. Of course, stumbling upon your crush from the best summer of your life certainly helped. He jerked his head the direction of the beach. “Let’s go.”

  He got out of the car and took his suitcoat with them; the evening air was getting a bit chilly. With the jacket over his arm, he opened her door. Then, hand in hand, they walked to the beach, neither saying much. Alex shivered at the cooling evening, so Michael stopped and put his suitcoat around her shoulders.

  She pulled it close with one hand and smiled, flushing. “Thanks.”

  With the water coming into view, Michael couldn’t help but think that reconnecting with Al — Alex — after so long couldn’t be a coincidence. Yet she didn’t live here. She’d be heading back to her life in Arizona soon.

  They reached the sand, where Michael walked at her side for some time, but then, as they drew closer to the shore, he instinctively released her hand. She looked over with a question in her eyes. He nodded toward the ocean. “This part’s not for me. Go. Set him free.”

  A wide smile broke over her face, sending warmth through Michael as if he’d been injected with it. She slipped off her flip-flops and pulled a jar out of her purse — Jason’s ashes. She walked out farther, her figure silhouetted against the fading orange-gold of the sun. Only when she stood ankle-deep in the water did she open the jar. And then she paused. He couldn’t tell for sure, but he imagined that she was communing with Jason one last time. With her free hand, she pulled her long skirt up a few inches, then took a few more steps into the water — almost to her knees — then flung the ashes in a wide arc and stepped back, watching the ocean disperse them and take them away. She stood there for a moment longer, watching the ashes in the water.

  Then, with quick steps, almost running, Alex returned to him. Sand was stuck to her wet feet, and she still held the now-damp bottom of her skirt in one hand. “I did it,” she said, breathing heavily. A gold and pink halo from the setting sun glowed behind her. She put the jar back into her purse, then took both of his hands in hers, reaching up for a kiss — the last thing he’d expected in that moment, but one he was happy to indulge in. Fettuccine could wait.

  After a nice, slow kiss, she pulled back, smiling broadly, and picked up her flip-flops in one hand. “Let’s go.”

  As they walked back the way they’d come, their feet seemed to eat the distance far faster than when they’d gone the other direction. Michael checked his watch and was startled to see how fast the time had gone. The day had completely flown past; before he knew it, they’d be saying goodbye for the evening, one day closer to her flying home and away from his life again, and—

  No.

  “So,” he said, trying to sound casual but knowing he was failing. “Are you based in Arizona for a reason?” An urgency to find a way to hang on to Alex, to test these new waters, to see if they had a future, burned inside his chest. He clung to the fact that Mikey and Al were together again — not a coincidence. “I mean, is Phoenix a hub for the fashion industry or something?”

  Alex chuckled at that. “Hardly.” She began swinging their hands as if being together were completely natural. “I grew up in Arizona, that’s all. It’s the only state I’ve ever lived in.”

  “So you have a lot of ties there.”

  “Just my sister. But she’s married now and lives in Tucson, which is a bit farther away. We don’t see each other as often as we used to. Besides, her husband just joined the Air Force, so they’ll probably be hopping all over the world soon.”

  “Interesting.”

  She nudged him with her elbow. “What?”

  He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I can’t help but think that if nothing is keeping you there, then...”

  Her step slowed, and she stopped, facing him. She took his other hand too. “Then... what?” Pink had returned to her cheeks like twin rosebuds — like they used to so long ago when she grew emotional. A good sign?

  “Then maybe you could move here.” Michael ran his thumbs over the tops of her hands. So soft. “We found each other again after all these years. You’re free. I’m free. It’s as if fate expects us to...” But he couldn’t quite get the words out.

  “Give it a shot?” she finished, stepping closer. She pressed her hands to his chest and smoothed his shirt with her fingers.

  Goose bumps broke out all over his arms. He nodded dumbly, then managed, “Yeah.” He cleared his throat, then tried again. “And maybe you’ll find even more business out here. L.A. probably has a slightly bigger fash
ion scene than Phoenix.”

  “But the cost of living is astronomical, and—” Her words cut off as if she couldn’t find another argument.

  “Being here could lead to huge company growth. It could be a very good career move.” As if that were the reason he’d brought up the idea. The truth was, careers and money didn’t matter; those things could work themselves out.

  She lifted her face to his, seeming to study every feature. Now it was his turn to feel heat creeping up his neck. When she spoke next, her voice had lowered to almost a whisper and was full of emotion, “Maybe I will move west. But if I do, it won’t be for my career.”

  “It wouldn’t?” His voice turned into a whisper too. His throat started to tighten as hope and anxiety warred inside him.

  She cocked her head to one side, holding his gaze with hers. “Not wouldn’t. It won’t be.”

  “Are you serious?” he said, unable to stop himself from tightening his grip on her hands. “You’re really considering a move to L.A. and—”

  She squeezed back and stepped even closer. “Maybe it’ll help my career...”

  He took a matching step, until their bodies almost touched. “And maybe we’ll find Mikey and Al again...”

  “And maybe it’ll turn into something pretty awesome.”

  Michael reached out and cradled her face in his hands. She closed her eyes and sighed at his touch. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. One kiss, and then another, soft at first, and then with more intent. Alex reached up and threaded her fingers through his hair, kissing him back. After a long, deep kiss, Alex took a breath and pulled back, smiling wide. He rested his forehead against hers.

  In the distance, the strains of “That’s Amore” floated down to them from the restaurant.

  Alex bit her lower lip. “You know, it’s already been pretty awesome. And you’re right; we owe it to fate to give it a try.”

  Our Song

  Chapter One

  The film in the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center theater ended, and the lights came on. As the attendees filed out, Cassie thanked them for coming then began cleaning, picking up trash, and otherwise finishing the duties of her shift. The summer tourist season had picked up now that schools were out —including the elementary school she taught at. For the third summer in a row, she’d come to work at Yellowstone as part of the maintenance crew. In her ideal world, she would be a ranger, but getting that position was hard, to say the least.

  Her phone buzzed, and she paused to check the text. It was from Andrea, one of her college roommates. She and her cousin Tammy, who’d also roomed with Cassie, had a family reunion in nearby Island Park and had insisted they get together.

  Will 9 work? If so, we’ll be at Buffalo Steakhouse! Let me know!

  Andrea and Tammy’s schedule was dictated by the reunion, so tonight was their best shot at getting together, even though it meant canceling with Matt.

  He’d understand. After all, she hadn’t seen her college roommates in at least five years, not since the two of them dropped out after sophomore year. Cassie had finished her degree then went straight to teaching second grade. Five years was a long time; she felt like a different person from who she’d been then and couldn’t help but wonder how her friends had changed over the same period.

  So Cassie didn’t have the heart to say no, especially when she and Matt didn’t have any firm plans, just their standing Friday night together. Of course, their summer nights were numbered. Come August, she’d head back to Bozeman to teach, and Matt would stick around the park, working as an EMT and firefighter. Yet again, their relationship would have to be a long-distance one for the school year.

  I’ll make it up to him, she thought, then quickly texted Andrea a confirmation before returning to work.

  Even though she’d be clocking out any minute, and it was only three in the afternoon, Cassie had a lot to do. First, she had to make the 45-minute drive back to West Yellowstone — or longer, if she got stopped along the way by bison blocking the road ten times. She’d quickly shower then pretty herself up — not much of a challenge when one considered her daily look, the oh-so-feminine maintenance-crew blah.

  As she ran the sweeper over the flat carpet, picking up random bits of dirt, pine needles, and gum wrappers, her mind drifted to her college friends. They hadn’t kept in touch, so they would have a ton to catch up on. The two of them kept trying to get Cassie to sign up for Facebook, but she hadn’t seen the point; she didn’t exactly have an exciting life to share.

  Now she wished she had signed up, just to know what their lives were like today. Would the three of them be able to pick up where they’d left off, or would it be like seeing familiar-looking strangers? One juicy bit Cassie knew for sure: Andrea was newly engaged. That meant they’d have something to talk about. If memory served, Andrea had been married before. So there was probably a lot to catch up on with her, at least.

  Cassie got her purse from the staff room then went to the lobby, heading for the big windows at the front of the building. As usual, Matt waited for her there, this time with his back turned as he looked out at the park beyond. She couldn’t see his face from here, just his average height and unremarkable light-brown hair, but the one thing that did make him stand out a little was his firefighter’s build.

  Whenever their shifts coincided, they left together, especially at night; even in as safe of a place as a national park, Matt didn’t like the idea of Cassie walking to her car alone after dusk. If she got off work first, he often found a way to take a break at the same time.

  She often teased him about being overprotective. “I don’t think any bison will attack me in the parking lot,” she’d said more than once.

  “It’s not bison I worry about,” he always countered.

  “No wolves will get me.”

  “Not worried about them, either.”

  He didn’t trust that every tourist was a good person; he couldn’t. People vandalized the park, like a few years back, when some men sneaked over to the top of Old Faithful and relieved themselves into it. If people prone to vandalism visited, there was the potential of someone doing far worse to a woman walking alone.

  At the sound of her step on the pale-yellow tiles, Matt turned. This time she didn’t crack the bison joke. Instead, she smiled, appreciative that he’d come and hoping he wouldn’t be too disappointed over her plans. He knew that Andrea and Tammy were in the area, but until a few minutes ago, even she hadn’t known for sure when they’d get together.

  Matt held out a hand, which Cassie took then gave him a peck on the lips.

  “Have a good day?” she asked.

  “Could have been better.” He shrugged sadly. “We found a dead moose over by the Lone Star Geyser — antlers sawed right off.”

  “That’s awful.”

  Any kind of hunting within park boundaries was a federal offense. Taking animal parts was unlawful too, even if it was antlers or fur from an animal wounded outside the park that later died inside it.

  They headed toward the doors and went out to her car and his truck. Matt didn’t need to drive something big for his job, but he loved camping and hiking as much as Cassie did, so they used his truck to haul gear on their many adventures.

  Of course, when they reached their vehicles, he walked to her car and opened the driver-side door. “I heard that there’s a new movie playing up in Bozeman,” he said suddenly. “An action movie, I think, if you’re up to the drive. If we get a start soon, we wouldn’t be out too late.”

  She absently pushed a button on her key fob; the car’s lights flashed as the doors unlocked. “Andrea just texted. We’re meeting at Buffalo Steakhouse for dinner. I’d cancel except that—”

  “No worries,” Matt said with a lighthearted tone. “We knew they were in town. Go catch up with them. We’ll watch the movie another night, or go fishing, or maybe see whatever show is at the Playmill.”

  “Sure you don’t mind?”

  “Of course not,” M
att said. “You haven’t seen them in years. Go. Have fun.” He stepped closer and gave her a hug and a quick kiss.

  She smiled. “I’ll see if I can bring back dessert to make up for it.”

  “Mmm, brownie bites with raspberry sauce?”

  “You know it.”

  “Remind me to act really wounded next time you cancel. Maybe I can up my reward to a buffalo steak.”

  When Cassie arched her eyebrows, he laughed, and she joined him. Before she got in her car, she gave him another peck. “I’ll see what I can do. If not a buffalo steak, then maybe some ice cream to go with the brownie bites.”

  “Nuts and caramel on top?” He leaned against the door as she got in, grinning.

  She pretended to think. “Don’t push your luck.”

  Matt stepped back as she closed the door, calling, “Love ya,” through the window. Then he added, “See you tomorrow,” with one arm raised in a wave.

  Cassie waved back then put the car into gear. Before she left the parking lot, she glanced in her rearview mirror. Matt stood by his truck, hands in his pockets, watching her drive away.

  Why didn’t the sight make her giddy anymore?

  Chapter Two

  Between the drive then getting showered and put together, Cassie arrived at the restaurant last. Andrea and Tammy were waiting in the lobby, and when the trio saw one another, they all squealed as if they were still nineteen, then ran into a group hug.

  Cassie pulled back and looked at her friends. “It’s so good to see you guys. You haven’t changed a bit.” Except they had, somewhat. Andrea had a trendy haircut with red highlights in her brunette hair, and Tammy had gone nearly platinum blonde. Both wore more makeup than they had in college, but they were both as slim as ever, and they didn’t look any older.