“I’m sure she would.” He didn’t begrudge Gabriella wanting to spend more time with Lorelei. He just hadn’t been ready to think about the deadline attached to their relationship on a day when the sun was shining, a dance floor waited, a bluegrass band played andGabriella was by his side.
But he could still have this weekend with her, couldn’t he? The trial would last at least another day or two.
Down on the lawn, the fiddler launched into a timeless tune, drawing a few of the younger girls onto the dance floor for a spin.
“And Lorelei will be a wonderful resource for you as you and Mia build a relationship.” Gabriella turned toward him now, her long skirt brushing against his pant leg in a gentle swish. “Have you noticed that Mia seems jumpy this week?”
Grateful for the shift in conversation, even if it was far from his area of expertise, Clay thought about his half sister.
“Hard to say when I’m only just starting to know her.” He’d been pleased when Mia rode to the hospital with him two nights ago, considering it a new level of trust. “She definitely seems on edge, but I assumed that was normal in light of her relationship with Pete.”
But Gabriella’s lips pursed, a furrow deepening between her brows.
“She has every reason to be upset,” she agreed. “I just don’t want to overlook something when she’s had such a difficult couple of years.”
“She’ll be here soon and we’ll talk to her then.” Clay took Gabriella’s hand in his, needing to make the best of the time he had left with her. “Until then, we could go show the youngsters how to two-step.”
He willed her to say yes, glad for the excuse to hold her in his arms. He wanted to impress himself on her memory.
Even as Gabriella hooked her arm through his and let him lead her down to the dance floor, Clayton knew that every moment they spent together was only making it that much tougher to say goodbye.
Chapter Fifteen
Later that night, on the back of Clayton’s motorcycle, Gabriella arched her neck to check out the stars as he slowed down for a stop sign close to the Chance home. A perfect, clear fall night revealed a million stars overhead. The vastness of the Tennessee sky made her all the more grateful she was with Clay, his warm body anchoring hers and warding away the growing chill.
She laid her cheek on the back of his shoulder, the soft flannel of his shirt doing little to disguise the roped muscles beneath. He was strong and solid and kept her safe despite the speed and the thrill of the ride. Traveling along the isolated roads made her feel like they were all alone in the world, just the thrum of the machine beneath them and her arms wrapped around him. He’d given her his leather jacket for the ride home and she’d gladly left her car parked on Main Street. She’d pick it up tomorrow. For tonight she wanted to enjoy what could possibly be her last weekend in Heartache. With the digital evidence now a factor in thecase, the newspapers had suggested the prosecution might have a slam dunk. They could rest early next week and then what could the defense possibly come up with?
Things looked hopeful.
But even as that news heartened her, she had to wonder what it meant for her relationship with Clay. As Zach pointed out, Clayton had a business in Memphis. A home. A whole life that didn’t include her.
Or Mia.
That was the most troubling part if she thought about trying to extend their relationship. She couldn’t imagine being with someone who would abandon his own sister.
And even though that idea troubled her, at least they’d shared a happy day together. Mia had seemed more relaxed, laughing as she tried to teach Davis Reed how to two-step at the Hasting family reunion. Gabriella had watched her carefully, searching for signs that the teen might be nervous around her new boyfriend, but if anything, the jazz-loving teenage drummer seemed to put Mia more at ease than Gabriella had seen her all week.
Davis wasn’t the problem.
She’d been surprised when Mia asked for permission to sit with her father tonight for an hour or two, but Davis had offered to drive her, which Gabriella appreciated since she knew what an emotional toll those visits could take. The two of them had left the party shortly before Gabby and Clay.
Now, pulling into the driveway outside her childhood home, Gabriella stared up at the sprawling Craftsman her father had upgraded continually, remembering that her time was running out to revisit her old bedroom.
The darkness of those days surged like clouds across thetiny crescent moon. After Clay parked the bike and helped her off the back, she watched him while he set their helmets on the bike seat. She gladly put those unhappy thoughts aside to study his broad shoulders in the moonlight. She’d been in his arms half the evening, dancing to one song after another while they laughed and joked, enjoying the company of a wide range of people who had all stayed under the Hasting roof, no matter how briefly.
She wanted to be in his arms again.
Her mouth went dry just thinking about him. She’d had so little experience with men before this week. And now she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Clay.
His low whistle pulled her out of her thoughts. His eyes were on her.
“What?” Her voice sounded scratchy and she hugged his leather jacket tighter around her.
It wasn’t the same as being in his arms, but she liked the weight and scent of the leather. The hint of his aftershave at the collar.
He stepped closer, his boots scraping lightly against the cobblestones.
“I’d give anything to know what you were thinking about just then.” He gripped the zippered lapels of the jacket and slowly hauled her closer.
