A Man to Trust (11 page)

Chapter Twelve

A
drie tiptoed down the hall and stopped in front of Ross’s apartment door. She lifted her hand, then stopped and glanced at her watch. Would he think she was crazy for coming over so early? Probably, but for her grandmother’s sake, she would risk it.

She rapped lightly on his door while her stomach tingled with nervous energy. Why was she worried? She and Ross were friends, and friends sometimes did goofy, spontaneous things like this. She knocked again, louder this time.

Muffled footsteps crossed his apartment, and the door creaked open.

Ross blinked and looked out at her. He wore navy sweatpants, a wrinkled gray T-shirt and his hair was mussed.

“Sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, I was just getting up. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” She shifted her weight to the other foot. “I just…um…wondered if you’d like to go clam digging with me.”

“Clam digging?” He squinted at her. “You mean like down at the beach, right now?”

She nodded. “I know it sounds crazy, but today is Grandpa Bill’s birthday, and that’s going to be hard for Nana. She needs something else to focus on, and she loves clam chowder, but she hasn’t made any since my grandpa died, because that was his favorite, and we used to be the ones to dig the clams for her.” She was babbling, but she couldn’t help it. Seeing him standing there so early in the morning was making her nervous. She swallowed. “So I thought if we brought her a big batch of fresh clams it might help.”

He glanced toward the hallway window. “You know it’s still dark outside, right?”

“The best low tide this week is in forty-five minutes. The sun will be up by then.”

He rubbed his bristly chin. “But we have to open the store at ten.”

“I’m sure we can dig our limit and be back by then.”

He braced his hand against the doorframe. “So…where are we going to dig these clams?”

Her heart lifted, like a helium balloon taking flight. “Grandpa and I always went to Larrabee State Park. It’s just a few miles south down Chuckanut Drive.” She glanced at his clothing again. “Have you ever been clam digging before?”

“No, but it sounds fun.” He cocked his head and sent her a teasing grin. “Especially if you’re going to teach me.”

Her face flamed. She pushed her hair over her shoulder, trying to pretend his smile didn’t have any effect on her. “You’ll probably get wet and sandy, so keep that in mind when you get dressed.” She pointed at his bare feet. “You can wear Grandpa’s rubber boots if you want. They go all the way up to your knees.”

“Is that what you’re wearing?” He looked her over, his grin still tilted at a teasing slant.

She glanced down at her jeans and turtleneck sweater. “Yes, plus my boots.”

He chuckled. “Can’t wait to see those.”

“They definitely make the outfit.”

“Okay. Give me five minutes.” He winked at her and pulled the door closed.

Mercy! She turned away and fanned her face. How could a little wink and a few teasing phrases affect her so?

Thirty minutes later Ross sat in the passenger seat of Adrie’s car as they drove down Chuckanut Drive in the misty predawn light. The sun probably wouldn’t rise over the top of the mountains for another thirty minutes, but the sky over the rippling bay had lightened from soft gray to pale blue. By the time the sun finally appeared, they’d be down on the beach, digging for buried treasure.

He smiled and took a sip of coffee, still trying to shake off his surprise at the morning’s events.

Adrie definitely seemed to be softening toward him. Ever since the wedding she’d been reaching out in different ways—bringing him the photo contest brochure and encouraging him to enter, offering him a ride to worship practice since his car was at the shop, dropping off a plate of homemade cookies and now, inviting him along on this early morning trip to the beach.

Cam said she’d let him know when she was ready to be more than friends. Maybe this was what he was talking about.

He hadn’t dated much in the last couple years, but he knew what he was looking for, and the more he got to know Adrie, the more he felt sure she might be the one. Not only was she smart, caring and talented, she was also focused and determined to achieve her goals. That spoke of an inner strength that seemed to come from her faith and upbringing. Most of the women he’d met in the past seemed shallow and pale compared to Adrie.

He glanced over at her, studying her attractive profile—her amazing blue eyes, the gentle slope of her nose. But her beauty was not just on the surface. It flowed out from her heart. It was evident in her love for her grandmother and her friends, and each person who came in the bookstore.

She looked his way and smiled. “What?”

“Nothing.” He lifted his cup and took another sip. Good thing they’d stopped for coffee before they left Fairhaven. It gave him something to focus on so he didn’t stare at her the whole time they were driving.

He ran his hand over his rough chin. Too bad she hadn’t given him time to shower or shave. At least he’d combed his hair and brushed his teeth, just in case. He grinned again. If things went as he hoped, maybe he’d catch more than just a few clams this morning.

Something was going on with Ross. Adrie glanced at him again, then quickly pulled her focus back to the curving road. Why did he keep smiling at her like that? Crazy guy—she could hardly resist the urge to reach over and poke his arm and tell him to stop.

And how come he looked so good when she’d only given him five minutes to get ready? She quickly banished that thought. But the more time they spent together, the harder it became to resist her attraction to him. The differences she originally thought would make them an unlikely match now seemed to make him interesting and even endearing.

If only they’d met when she was settled in her new job and ready to invest in a relationship. But her course was set to sail away from Fairhaven, and his was firmly anchored here. And leaving Fairhaven might be happening sooner rather than later.

She shot him a quick sideways glance. “I got a call from the people in Minneapolis last night.”

He looked down at his coffee cup. “What did they say?”

“They wanted to know more about my Morrowstone fellowship.”

He looked up.

“That’s a summer music program for teens and college students. I was involved for five years.”

He took a sip of his coffee, looking somber.

“They also asked about my early music training. I guess they thought since I was raised in Kenya I wouldn’t have access to lessons. I told them I attended Rift Valley Academy since I was eleven and studied flute there.”

“Sounds like they’re serious.”

“Maybe. I’ll have to wait and see.” She gripped the steering wheel as her mental wrestling match over her future surfaced again. An opportunity with a well-established orchestra like the Minnesota Philharmonic didn’t come up often. It was the only open position she’d found in the past few months. She’d heard Minneapolis was a beautiful city, but it would be nothing like Fairhaven…and it was so far away.

“Did they tell you anything else?”

“The preliminary audition is November 3, so I should find out soon if they want me to come.”

He stared out the front window, his mouth set in a grim line.

Time to change the subject. She didn’t want to put a damper on their day. “Any news when you might get your car back?”

“They had to order a part—a very expensive part, I might add.” He grimaced.

“It was nice Cam let you borrow his SUV,” she added, hoping to shift his focus again to something more positive.

“Yeah, I can’t afford to be without a car right now. I’ve got a couple of photo jobs this weekend. And I need that money to cover the car repair bill.”

She wished she could reach over and squeeze his hand, but that would probably send the wrong message. “If you need an advance on your paycheck, I’m sure we could work that out.”

A muscle in his jaw flickered. “No thanks. I just need to keep on praying for extra jobs and watch my expenses.”

She sent him a sympathetic glance.

“Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out. I’m a very resourceful guy.” One side of his mouth lifted in a slight smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

The sign for Larrabee State Park came into view. She turned off and followed the road to the beach parking lot. They climbed out and walked around back to the trunk. Adrie reached in for the mesh bag and clipped it to her belt.

Ross fingered the bag and gave it a playful tug, pulling her toward him. “What’s this for?”

She laughed and tugged it away from him. “It holds all the clams we’re going to dig.” She passed him the clam gun. “Here you go.”

He grabbed the handle and looked into the long hollow tube. “And what am I supposed to do with this?”

She grinned. “It’s a clam gun.”

“Oh, well, that makes sense.” He raised it to his shoulder and aimed toward the beach. “Bang! There, that ought to get us a good batch of clams.”

She chuckled and shook her head. “That’s not exactly how you use it.”

“Okay. Not a problem. I’m sure you’ll give me a lesson.”

“Of course.” She sat on the back fender, pulled off her shoes, and stepped into her black rubber boots with pink and red polka dots.

Ross’s eyes widened. “Wow, those sure make a fashion statement.”

“A girl has to look her best, even while digging clams.” She smiled up at him, then hopped up and slammed the trunk. “Ready to go?”

He lifted his hand in the direction of the beach. “Lead the way.”

Toting their shovels and clam gun, they crossed the parking lot and took the trail to the beach. Soon they were strolling down the shoreline side by side.

“Hello, anybody home down there?” Ross called in a playful voice as he tapped his shovel handle on the sand. “You sure this is how it’s done?”

She chuckled. “That’s how grandpa did it. He said the tapping makes them start digging, and then you can see a little indention.” She continued walking and tapping, her eyes glued to the sand. She gasped. “Like that!”

“What do we do now?”

“We dig, quick and careful.” She plunged her shovel into the muddy sand a few inches away from the indention. Salt water seeped back in and quickly filled the hole. They scooped out several more shovelfuls, then Adrie knelt and reached into the frigid, soupy puddle.

Ross squatted next to her. “I can’t believe you’re sticking your hand in that muck.”

She laughed. “How else am I going to get him out?” Her fingers tingled from the cold as she cautiously felt around the hole. “You have to be careful, or you’ll cut your hand on their shell.”

He leaned closer, his expression serious.

“There it is.” She gripped the clam and pulled it to the surface.

“Wow, that’s a big one.” A delighted grin filled his face. “Good job.”

“Thanks.” She walked down to the water, then bent to rinse the clam and her hands in the next little wave.

Ross followed. “You know, you’re pretty amazing.”

She looked up at him. “Because I know how to dig clams?” She held out the clean shell for his inspection.

“That is a special skill.” He took the clam and slipped it into the net bag, then reached for her hand.

His warm grasp engulfed her wet, chilly fingers, and all her senses came alive.

He gently rubbed her palm with his thumb. “It’s hard to believe a woman who plays the flute so beautifully would dig through a muddy hole like that for her grandma’s sake.” A look of tenderness filled his eyes. “You are one special lady, Adrie Chandler.” His gaze traveled over her face and finally settled on her mouth.

She looked up at him, her heart opening like a blossom on a warm summer day. His dark eyes mesmerized her, and all the reasons she should not kiss him faded from her mind. He leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers. She let her eyes drift closed and lost herself in his earnest, searching kiss.

He caressed her cheek and deepened the kiss, and her painful longing to be loved and cherished seemed to ease. Lost in the moment, she melted against him.

A wave splashed on their feet, surprising them both and breaking the romantic spell. Adrie stepped back, her lips burning.

He chuckled softly. “Getting up early to go clam digging has just become my favorite way to start the day.”

Her heart pounded out an erratic rhythm. How could she have kissed Ross? What was she thinking? Maybe that was the problem—she wasn’t thinking at all. She’d just followed her feelings not considering where they would lead.

His grin melted away. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have… I didn’t mean…”

His eyes widened. “Oh, no, are you one of those girls who doesn’t believe in kissing until the wedding?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Confusion clouded his eyes. “Well, what is it?”

“Kissing is for couples who are in a serious relationship, but…we’re not.”

He stared at her for a second, then walked a few steps away. “You beat all, Adrie. You know that? You really do.”