Righting a Wrong (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) (14 page)

Her father rolled his eyes as though she was acting like a drama queen. “Stop being such a cinderblock. Any fool can see the way you feel about him. Why do you keep running away when it’s obvious you belong here with him?”

Cambri was not in the mood for this conversation. “Because it’s not obvious, Dad. I’ve worked hard, and I’m good at what I do. And because of that, I’ve just been offered the project of a lifetime. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“How can I be happy when you’re making the wrong choice?”

“But that’s just it, it’s
my
choice to make, not yours,” she said, jabbing her thumb against her chest to emphasize her point.

“Of course it is,” he said. “Just like going to Pennsylvania for college was your choice and taking that job on the other side of the country. I’m not trying to force you to stay. Just telling you you’re a cinderblock if you don’t.”

“Well I happen to like cinderblocks!” It was the dumbest comeback ever, but Cambri didn’t care.

“Of course you do. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t like yourself much, now would you?”

“Stop it!” Cambri redirected her finger at him. If he was the kind of father she could turn to or talk to, maybe then he’d understand exactly why she was getting on that plane in the morning. But he didn’t, and he wouldn’t understand even if she tried to explain. “You don’t know what you’re talking about or what I’m thinking or what Jace is thinking or what anyone is thinking for that matter. If you did, you’d know that Jace
wants
me to get on that plane tomorrow.”

“Bullwinkle. That has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

Cambri clenched her fists and glared. “Good thing I’m leaving so you don’t have to put up with my stupidness any longer.”

A spark of humor glinted in his old eyes. “That’s not a word.”

“Neither is bullwinkle!”

“Sure it is. It’s the name of that stupid, cartoon moose.”

Cambri suddenly wanted to throw something at him but kicked the cardboard box instead. Then she sent her father a scathing glare and stormed away—or, at least started to until she remembered the shed. She stopped and turned, pointing a finger at the house. “Actually, you go. I need to finish this.”

Her father shrugged. “Okay, but if you need any cinderblocks, you know where to find them.”

Her finger jabbed harder toward the house. “Now!”

“Okay, okay.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Just don’t blame me if you go back to your hoity-toity job in North Carolina and figure out you’re missing something more important than that
amazing
new project.”

Cambri clenched her jaw and jabbed one last time.

He finally took the hint and left.

As soon as he was gone, Cambri grabbed one of the flaps and yanked hard, tearing the box open and scattering metal pieces everywhere. She’d finish the shed today, then tomorrow she’d get on that plane and leave Bridger behind without a backward glance. Thanks to her father, she almost looked forward to it now.

Almost.

Cambri shivered in the chilly night air as she struggled to hang the shed door on its hinges. At one point, her father had come out carrying a sandwich—a peace offering, he’d called it—which Cambri had accepted, knowing that was as good of an apology as she’d ever get from him. He picked up the instructions, looked them over, and together, they spent the remainder of the afternoon working on the shed. He located the parts and told her what to do, and she did the work, with occasional help from him. While she was grateful for the help, she was even more grateful that he didn’t make any references to either Jace or cinderblocks. When his breathing became labored, Cambri had sent him inside.

As she’d watched him go, a peaceful feeling settled in her heart. At least this time she and her dad would part on peaceful terms. And maybe, just maybe, they’d eventually have that normal father-daughter relationship she’d always craved.

Now it was close to ten o’clock. Cambri was alone, thoroughly sick of the shed, and cold. As she twisted the last screw in place, a car pulled in the driveway, blinding Cambri with its headlights. She squinted into them, trying to figure out who it could be. They flicked off, and Lydia’s face appeared in the moonlight.

“Hey, you.” Cambri straightened and smiled, walking over to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you dropped by. I kept meaning to call, but time got away from me.”

Lydia waved her off. “No worries. Jace told me how busy you two have been. That’s how I found out you’re leaving tomorrow.”

A dull ache registered in Cambri’s stomach. “I really wish we could have had that dinner.”

“Me too.” Lydia shivered and rubbed her palms together. “You about done here? It’s cold.”

“Just finished.” Cambri took a step back to admire her and her father’s handiwork. “What do you think?”

“That it looks like a prefabricated shed. But a nice one.”

Cambri laughed. “You’re right. But it’s my prefabricated shed, so I’m pretty proud of it.”

Lydia grabbed her by the arm. “My car’s warm. Let’s go for a drive. That is, if you can spare an hour or so.”

“Definitely.”

As Lydia pulled away from the house and drove slowly down the street, she said, “I envy you.”

Cambri shot her a look of surprise. “Me? Why?” Who in their right mind would envy her?

“You had the nerve to go out on your own. I bet you’ve had so many adventures.” Her voice sounded wistful, even sad.

It was a good reminder for Cambri. “You’re right, I have. And it has definitely been an adventure. I think it took leaving for me to learn who I am and what I want out of life.” Too bad she was a slow learner, and the things she realized she wanted were no longer within her reach
because
she’d left.

Forcing sad thoughts from her mind, Cambri studied her friend’s beautiful profile. Lydia had always been kind of shy and reserved on the outside, but fun and witty underneath. It made Cambri wonder how many people were missing out because they didn’t know her friend. “Why haven’t you ever left? You sound like you’d like to.” It would probably be really good for Lydia if she did.

Lydia laughed and waved her hand in a dismissal motion. “Are you kidding me? I don’t have your guts—or anything close to your guts. I wish I did. I’d give anything to have an adventure, and maybe even a fling.” Her eyes widened, like she’d just said something shocking, making Cambri laugh. And think.

An idea sparked, and Cambri twisted in her seat. “Your wish is my command.”

“What?” Lydia shot her a confused glance.

“You’re off for the summer, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Come visit me in Charlotte,” said Cambri. “I can give you a list of sights to see during the day, and we can hang out in the evenings after I get off work. On the weekends, we can drive to the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen or take a road trip to DC. What do you say?” Having Lydia come to stay might be exactly what Cambri needed to distract her from thoughts of Jace. On the other hand, it could be a bad reminder too, but none of that really mattered. What mattered was that Lydia wanted an adventure, and Cambri was just the girl who could give her one.

Provided she said yes.

Lydia had drawn her bottom lip into her mouth and was worrying it back and forth.

“Unless you have other plans for the summer,” said Cambri.

“No, of course I don’t. It’s just that… well, I’ve never even been on a plane before.” There was hesitation in her voice, as though she was embarrassed to admit it.

“Well, now’s your chance to see what it’s like.”

Silence, more worrying of her lower lip, and finally Lydia smacked the wheel with her hand. “You know what? You’re right. I’m in. I’m going to buy a plane ticket, visit you in Charlotte and have the summer of my life.”

“Don’t forget the fling. I happen to know a cute guy or two I could set you up with,” Cambri teased.

Even in the darkness of the car, Lydia’s blush showed. “Oh, I was only kidding about that. I mean, who needs a fling when there are
so
many guys in Bridger to date?”

“As in…?” Cambri prodded.

“Oh, you know. Sam, the grocery bagger. Jimmy at the repair shop. He’s cute. And—oh, a couple of my students have single fathers who are just dying to date me, so there’s that too.”

Cambri giggled, loving the release it gave her body. Even if Lydia was a constant reminder of Jace, they would still have the time of their lives. Lydia was that much fun to be around.

She returned her attention to the window and immediately tensed, the smile slipping from her face. Lydia had just turned down Rose Street. Why? Her friend’s smile had vanished too, and she was back to worrying her lower lip in a guilty way, as though she was doing something she shouldn’t be doing.

“Where are we going?”

Lydia cleared her throat. “I thought we’d stop off at Jace’s place so you could say goodbye before you left.”

“We’ve already said our goodbyes.” The closer they got to Jace’s house, the faster Cambri’s heart raced. Why was Lydia doing this to her?

“Yeah, a lousy goodbye, at least according to Jace,” said Lydia. “I’m pretty sure he wants a do-over.”

“Pretty sure?” No way would Cambri get out of the car with only a
pretty sure
.

Lydia pulled into the driveway and stopped, turning a sympathetic smile on her friend. “Ever since you two started working on your dad’s yard together, Jace has been happier than he’s been in a really long time. But today when I talked to him, I’ve never seen him more miserable.” She paused. “Go talk to him, please? He’s been through a lot this past year, and I hate seeing him like this. I can’t believe that either of you want to leave things like this.”

It was Cambri’s turn to chew on her lower lip. Lydia was right. She didn’t want to fly back to Charlotte feeling this way, but did she have the courage to knock on his door and try to change that? To tell him point blank that she was willing to stay if he wanted her to? Her heart pounded, and her fingers clutched the armrests, not moving.

“You’re the brave one, remember?” Lydia said quietly.

No. Cambri wasn’t brave at all. She was a runner. A fleer. A person practiced in the art of avoidance maneuvers. And what she wanted to do right now was jump out of the car and run straight to the airport.

So pathetic.

But maybe it was time to grow up a little and start facing things head on, like an adult.

I can do this.

Still, her hands continued to clutch the armrests.

Jace’s front door opened, and he appeared, squinting through the darkness. Cambri wanted to duck and hide, but a gentle squeeze from Lydia’s cold fingers made her reconsider. She drew in a breath and yanked the handle, then stepped from the car. As soon as the door closed, Lydia’s car backed away.

Cambri glared at the person she thought was her friend. “Traitor,” she muttered.

Not knowing what else to do, she clasped her hands together and walked slowly toward Jace. When she got within talking distance, she stopped. “This was all your sister’s doing.”

“I figured.”

Now that they’d got that out of the way, what now? Cambri shuffled her feet, feeling both awkward and cold.

“Want to come inside?”

She hesitated. Did she, or would this turn into another lousy goodbye?

You’re the brave one, remember?
Lydia’s quiet voice echoed in her mind.

“Okay,” Cambri finally answered.

They walked inside and stared at a room that was still a work-in-progress. There was no couch or loveseat—nowhere other than a cluttered kitchen table or bar stool to sit.

Cambri sighed. “You’d probably be done with this room by now if it weren’t for me.”

“I doubt it,” said Jace. “The store keeps me pretty busy, and I don’t exactly have money coming out my ears, so I have to wait and do projects as I can afford them.” He gestured toward the stairs, and Cambri sat down, then scooted over to make room for Jace. His shoulder brushed hers, sending warm tingles down her arms.

“I’m glad Lydia coerced you into dropping by,” said Jace.

“Tricked me is more like it.”

A small smile touched his lips. “She can be sneaky like that. But I’m still glad she did. Even though we already said goodbye, it felt… unfinished. And I don’t know why. I mean, you’re leaving tomorrow and there’s nothing I can do to change that. So what else is there but to say goodbye and hope we keep in touch?”

“You can ask me to stay,” Cambri’s voice was so quiet, she wasn’t sure he’d heard.

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, his dark gaze piercing hers. “No, I can’t. I don’t want to hold you back, Cam. You cut me out of your life before, when you thought I was trying to keep you here, and I’m not about to give you a reason to do that again. If returning to Charlotte is what you want, I’m not going to stand in your way no matter how much I want to.”

He wanted her to stay. Cambri’s heart suddenly felt lighter and less broken. “You don’t have to stand in my way to keep me from getting on that plane. I just needed to know that you wanted to.”

Jace shifted positions, and their knees touched as he faced her. “I do want to. I want to build a blockade, slash the plane’s tires, and disconnect the fuel line. But this has to be your choice.”