through, so many at a time that Rachel was afraid she’d miss him.
Then he was there, standing in front of her. She let out a squeal of delight and launched herself into his arms. Her sailor man wrapped her in his embrace, swinging her around so people near them stepped out of the way, smiling. Then his hungry mouth claimed hers again and again.
“Oh, Nate, I’ve missed you so much.”
He held her tight, drawing in several deep breaths as though desperate to take in her scent.
“I’ve never been on a longer flight in my life,” he whispered. “I kept reminding myself that every minute brought me closer to you.” Slowly he released her until her shoes touched the floor again.
“I’ve got a wonderful weekend planned,” she told him, laughing. He slipped one arm around her waist, carrying his overnight bag in the other. Walking side by side, they started toward the parking garage.
“What kind of plans?” He kissed her cheek as if he couldn’t stop touching her now that they were finally together.
“The Puyallup Fair’s on. You’ll love it.” It was a classic country fair, with rides, entertainment, animals and all kinds of exhibits. Rachel had often attended the fair when she was growing up; it had been one of the joys of her childhood. But she hadn’t been to the Puyallup Fair in years and she thought seeing it with Nate was an inspired idea.
“Sounds like fun. Anything else?”
“Yes.” It was supposed to be a surprise but she couldn’t keep it to herself. “Two front-row Seahawks tickets,” she informed him, feeling downright smug. One of her clients, who had season tickets, was going to be out of town when the Seahawks played the Raiders and had given the tickets to Rachel. The timing of this generous gift couldn’t have been more perfect. Rachel wasn’t much of a sports fan, but she knew Nate loved football.
“You’re joking!”
“Nope.” To prove she was telling the truth, Rachel pulled the tickets from her purse. “We might have to leave the game a few minutes early so you can catch your flight Sunday evening, but that’s a small thing, right?”
“Right,” he echoed. Nate hugged her again. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.”
Rachel laughed. “Well, if that’s all it takes.”
They had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Kent that Nate had heard about from a friend. The enchiladas were the best Rachel had ever tasted. They lingered over margaritas and talked for nearly two hours; in fact, the restaurant was closing before Rachel noticed the time and suggested they leave.
On the drive over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and home to Cedar Cove, she decided to introduce the subject of Jolene. Nate couldn’t ignore the girl, as much as he might like to. Their relationship was too important to Rachel.
“Did I mention that Jolene’s running for class secretary?” she said, knowing she hadn’t.
“No.”
He didn’t say anything else.
“Bruce is helping with her campaign, and so am I.” She was intentionally probing a little, hoping he’d respond with at least a show of interest.
Nate sighed and closing his eyes, rested his head against the seat, shutting her out. “Do we have to talk about Bruce and Jolene?” he asked. “Can’t tonight just be about us?”
“Of course it can,” Rachel told him, but his indifference to Jolene hurt.
The silence between them seemed to stretch and Rachel knew it would be up to her to break it.
“I have news, but I have to swear you to secrecy first.”
“Okay.” He opened his eyes and straightened.
“You won’t tell?”
“I swear.”
“Cross your heart and hope to die?”
“Yes, yes. Now tell me.”
“Teri’s pregnant,” Rachel said triumphantly. “The crazy part is that I had to point it out to her.”
“What does Bobby think?”
“Bobby doesn’t know, which is why it’s a secret.”
“She isn’t telling her own husband?”
Rachel didn’t want to go into the details. “It’s too hard to explain. She’s ecstatic, though. I have no idea how she’s kept the news from Bobby. The poor girl’s sick every afternoon.”
“I thought pregnant women suffered from morning sickness?”
“Not Teri. She has afternoon sickness. She hasn’t managed to hold down her lunch all week.”
Nate shook his head. “This pregnancy might help her lose weight, then.”
“Nate!” That was an unkind comment and she wasn’t going to let him get away with it. “Teri isn’t fat.”
“She isn’t skinny, either.”
“So what?” Rachel frowned at him. “That was rude of you.”
For the first time he seemed to notice that she was upset. “Hey, come on, Rachel, I was only teasing. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
She nodded, unwilling to spend their precious time together arguing over how he viewed her best friend. These two days were going to be short enough.
“Listen, before I forget, I have a favor to ask you,” Nate said, effectively changing the subject.
“Anything.” They exited off the freeway to Highway 16 and then over the Tacoma Narrows. In another thirty minutes, they’d be in Bremerton, where Nate was staying with a navy friend.
“My father called me about coming home for a big political rally in October. I want you to fly in and meet me there.” Nate’s father was a congressman from Pennsylvania. Nate had grown up accustomed to living in the spotlight; events such as campaign rallies, political dinners, meetings with diplomats and dignitaries were part of his everyday life.
Dread filled Rachel and although she tried, she couldn’t keep the reluctance out of her voice. “If you want me there, then of course, I’ll arrange to join you.”
“I do. This is important, Rachel. I’d like you to meet my extended family and my friends.”
The initial introduction to his parents, when they’d visited the Seattle area a few months earlier, hadn’t gone well. Nate evidently hadn’t been aware of his mother’s disapproval, although Rachel certainly hadn’t missed it. While Patrice Olsen had seemed polite and charming, her message was clear. Rachel came without connections, without influential relatives or other beneficial associations. She was from a different class than the politically based Olsen clan, and Rachel was afraid she’d never fit into his family. She was convinced Patrice had someone in mind for her only son. And that someone wasn’t
