out the living-room window again. Bruce was already five minutes late, and she wondered if he even remembered that he’d agreed to drive her to the airport today. She’d asked him weeks ago—long before he’d kissed her … before the less-than-subtle shift in their relationship. They hadn’t talked since that night.
Normally she’d phone to remind him. She hadn’t, mainly because she didn’t know what to say. It was all so awkward. He obviously regretted those kisses as much as she did. Every time she thought about the way she’d responded to him, she got upset. They’d both been out of line, and her biggest fear was that this momentary slip might have ruined one of the most agreeable friendships of her life.
When Bruce’s car pulled up to the curb, Rachel wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or not. Reaching for her suitcase, she hurried outside, pausing only long enough to lock the door. According to the Pittsburgh forecast, which she’d looked up on the Internet, the weather there was unseasonably cold for mid-October. She’d brought along her winter coat, slung over her arm because she certainly didn’t need it in Cedar Cove right now. The Pacific Northwest enjoyed moderate temperatures, although it was uncomfortably cool at night.
Without a word of greeting, Bruce was out of the car. He took the suitcase from her hand and heaved it into the trunk. She noticed that his eyes avoided hers.
Rachel felt wretched. If they were going to remain friends, they needed to clear the air. She waited until she was inside the car and had fastened her seat belt.
“I really appreciate your doing this,” she said, thinking that showing her gratitude was a good start.
“No problem.” His response was clipped, as if he’d rather not talk to her at all. Driving into Seattle during the morning rush hour wasn’t a negligible task; Bruce was doing her a huge favor. But he’d volunteered as soon as she’d mentioned it. He had his own business, so he could take the time off.
As they neared the freeway on-ramp she finally referred to that foolish kiss. “I guess maybe we should talk about what happened Friday night,” she said, fiddling nervously with the strap of her handbag.
“What’s there to talk about?” Bruce returned, focusing his attention on the road ahead.
“I want to be sure it hasn’t damaged our friendship.”
“It hasn’t.”
“I know you regret the whole thing. So do I,” she continued.
He turned his head briefly, glancing in her direction. “I never said I regretted it.”
“You apologized,” she reminded him.
“That’s not the same as regretting it.”
Rachel frowned, a little confused. “Oh. I guess not.” She didn’t really see the difference, but that didn’t matter. “Our friendship means a great deal to me.”
“And me. You’ve been wonderful with Jolene.”
“It’s more than Jolene, though.”
“Yes,” he snapped. “It is.”
A familiar ache came over Rachel. She loved Jolene, and she cared about Bruce. More than cared about him? Everything was suddenly too complicated. She grew quiet after his remark, and Bruce didn’t seem inclined to speak, either.
When they arrived at Sea-Tac Airport, he stopped at the curb. The sidewalk in front of the terminal was swarming with people. Bruce left the engine running as he hopped out of the car and retrieved her suitcase from the trunk. He’d set it on the curb before Rachel had a chance to gather the rest of her things and climb out.
Apparently he couldn’t get rid of her fast enough. They stood there awkwardly, facing each other in the midst of people coming and going, dropping off travelers, unloading bags. He seemed every bit as nervous as she was.
“Have a good flight,” Bruce finally murmured.
“Thank you. I’m sure I will.” Within hours, she’d be seeing Nate again and she should be feeling elated. Excited. Only she wasn’t. She’d rather sort this out with Bruce. Or at least effect some kind of reconciliation before she left. She hated this unsettled feeling. Still, she’d tried, and he didn’t seem interested. And Rachel didn’t feel she could press any more than she already had.
It wasn’t right to be flying off to visit Nate and his family while she was thinking about another man. This would be an important week. The political fundraiser the next afternoon was critical to Nate’s family, and Rachel was determined to do everything she could to become an asset to both Nate and his father.
Then, surprising her again, Bruce stepped closer and hugged her. This wasn’t a token hug; he held her tight, as if he didn’t want to let her go. After a moment, he dropped his arms. Shocked, and more confused than ever, Rachel moved toward her suitcase and without looking back, picked it up and walked into the terminal.
Nate had arranged his flight into Pittsburgh so that he’d arrive from San Diego thirty minutes ahead of her. When she came out of the jetway, he was at the gate waiting for her.
One glance at her handsome navy man, and Rachel gave a small cry of delight. She flew into his arms. It felt like forever since they’d been together, although it had only been a month.
“Dad sent a car for us,” Nate said as he slipped an arm around her waist. He gazed down at her, his eyes full of warmth. “You look wonderful.”
Rachel couldn’t keep from blushing at his praise. “You, too.”
“There’s a dinner this evening that Mom suggested we attend. You don’t mind, do you?”
Rachel did mind, but she couldn’t protest, since Nate’s family had paid for her airline ticket. She’d hoped she and Nate would have this evening to themselves. That obviously wouldn’t be the case.
The driver found them in the baggage claim area, and soon they were on their way. As Nate relayed the itinerary for the next two days, it seemed unlikely that they’d have more than a minute to themselves at any given time. The culminating event, the rally, was where Nate’s father would announce that he’d be running for the senate.
“Stop,” she said at one point. “My head is spinning. Are we required to attend all these functions?” In addition to the rally, there were a number of meals and cocktail parties, sometimes as many as three in a single afternoon. There were also visits to service clubs, senior citizens’ organizations, schools and even a shopping mall, where they’d hand out flyers.
Nate seemed surprised that she’d asked. “Of course we’re going to all of them. That’s what you do during a political campaign. Trust me, I should know.”
“Were you always this involved?”
“Except for the last few years, yes.” He took her hand. “I should tell you that Dad and I’ve been talking.”
Rachel didn’t know if that was a good thing or not, although of his parents, she preferred his father. Nathaniel Olsen was a consummate politician and had a way of making everyone he met feel like his best friend. Still, as much as she hoped the congressman approved of her relationship with Nate, Rachel couldn’t be sure.
Nate’s
