Dare to Love (Young Adult Romance) (10 page)

BOOK: Dare to Love (Young Adult Romance)
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“Oh, sure,” I replied, hoping I
sounded more confident than I was feeling.  Again, the ride moved slowly
upward, but stopped suddenly.  “More passengers,” I noted wanly.

Several more times, the ride started
and stopped, but soon I heard a deeper, rumbling sound.  Then the huge
apparatus began moving, slowly at first, but as it gained more momentum, it
careened forward with dizzying speed.

“Whoa!  This is great!” Dare shouted.

I nodded and attempted a smile.  I
was sure it was a sickly one.  Dare didn’t seem to notice as he began to propel
his body forward, then back, in order to force the cage over.  It didn’t take
long for the cage to begin tipping end over end.  This, coupled with the
spinning motion of the ride itself, began to have the same effect on my
stomach.  Oh, please don’t let me get sick, I prayed silently.

Now spinning wildly, I finally
couldn’t take it anymore.  “Can we slow down a little bit?” I asked Dare,
struggling to keep my voice steady.

He glanced in my direction.  The wide
smile on his face vanished.  “Laura, are you okay?  You’re as white as a
sheet.”

“Oh, I’m fine,” I managed.

“Ah, shoot!” he muttered, and then
became perfectly still.  “It’ll take a few seconds to stop spinning.  Hold on,
Laura.”

“Oh, I’m holding on,” I assured him,
noting that I was currently white-knuckling the safety bar.

After awhile, the cage stopped
spinning, so I only had the motion of the giant ride itself to contend with.  I
willed myself to remain calm.  I reasoned that the ride couldn’t last forever,
although it felt like it.

Dare turned slightly and watched me,
a concerned expression on his face.  “Laura, I’m really sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.  I’m fine,” I
lied.

“You don’t look so fine to me. 
You’re not going to get sick, are you?”

Only in my worst nightmares, I
thought.  “No, I’m fine.”

“Mmmmm,” Dare muttered dubiously as
he wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders.  I closed my eyes and took a
deep breath.  I was hit by a wave of nausea.  “Oh, gosh,” I groaned.

Dare’s arm tightened around me. 
“It’s almost over, Laura,” he soothed as he gently stroked my hair.

I thought my torture had finally
ended as the ride screeched to a halt.  Cautiously, I opened my eyes and noted
with horror that our cage had stopped at the very top station of the ride. 
“Oh, no,” I murmured.

Dare removed his arm from my
shoulders and I felt his strong finger under my chin.  He tilted my face
upward.  “Look at me, Laura.”

“I’d rather not,” I said dismally.

“Laura,” he repeated sternly.

Hesitantly, I looked at his handsome
face.  “Why didn’t you just tell me you couldn’t handle this ride?” he asked
softly.

“I can handle it,” I insisted
miserably.  “Well, I thought I could.”  Humiliated, I turned away from him,
certain he’d probably never talk to me again once we reached solid ground.

“Laura, what are you trying to
prove?” he demanded.  “You drive too fast, you dive off of rocks, you go on
rides you know you can’t handle.  I just don’t get you.”

This speech sounded familiar.  “I’m
sorry, Dare,” I told him.

“I’m not asking for an apology,” he
said in an exasperated voice.  “I just wish I understood you, that’s all.”

When I didn’t answer, he said, “Talk
to me, Laura.”

“It’s just...”

“It’s what?” he asked, his voice soft
again.

“I don’t know.  I mean, when my mom
died last year...”

“Go on,” Dare urged.

“I ... I realized we don’t know how
much time we have ... and Dad has such a dangerous job, something could happen
to him ... and I…”  I shook my head and sighed.   “...There’s so much I want to
do...”

I knew I wasn’t making much sense but
Dare nodded as if he understood.  “Laura,” he said, as he wrapped his arms
around me, “you’re right.  We don’t know how much time we have.  And there’s a
lot I want to do, too.  Like college, and the police academy, but dang, Laura,
you don’t have to squeeze everything in all at once!  And you sure don’t have to
keep taking the chances you take.”

Sighing, I sought his eyes.  “
I
take chances?  What about you?  Why do you have to be a cop?  Your own dad died
on duty.  Something could happen to you, too.  And Dare, it’s lousy for family
life.  Dad’s never home for the holidays.  He’s on call twenty-four hours a
day.  He’s missed every one of my school plays, softball games—everything!  My
mom was always alone.  She used to talk about all their plans for the future. 
But she died!  Dad could have made more time for her!  For us!  I’m so ... angry
at him!”

I felt tears spring to my eyes, and
they slipped onto my cheeks before I could wipe them away.  I turned away from
Dare, humiliated.  I couldn’t believe I’d just spilled my guts to him.  And I
couldn’t believe the things I’d said.

“It’s okay, Laura,” he said softly. 
“I think I understand now.”

“I’m glad you do.  I sure don’t,” I
told him, my lips trembling. 

The ride began to move again.  I knew
we’d be on the ground soon, and I didn’t want Jennifer and the others to see
that I’d been crying.  Clearing my throat, I said, “Dare, I can’t let the
others see me like this.”

He smiled and squeezed my hand.  “You
look fine, Laura.  Really.”      

I glanced up at him then.  His sky
blue eyes held mine for several seconds.  I marveled at the thickness of his
lashes, and watched as the blue of his eyes seemed to deepen almost magically. 
Then he leaned forward and kissed me.  I was unprepared for the sweet
sensations his kiss evoked within me.  When he pulled back, my eyelashes fluttered
in surprise. 

I forgot I was thirty-five feet in
the air on a ride that scared the bejeebers out of me.  All I could think about
was Dare’s kiss.  He smiled at me and draped his arm over my shoulders for the
remainder of the ride.

When the ride did finally stop, I
stepped down from the cage and nearly toppled over.  I wasn’t sure if I was
unsteady from the ride or from Dare’s kiss.  His hand shot out and grabbed my
elbow.  “Easy Laura,” he said, smiling encouragingly.

As we exited the ride, I noticed that
Jennifer, Keith, and Courtney had wandered over to a snack booth.  I was
relieved, since it gave me time to compose myself.

A few moments later, the threesome
walked toward us, each carrying a huge, elephant ear.

Since I was still slightly nauseated
from the ride, the sight of the cinnamon-coated pastries nearly caused my
stomach to turn.  Keith apparently noticed my discomfort.  “Hey, Laura, you
look kind of pasty-faced.”

I turned toward Dare in time to see
the warning glance he shot at Keith.

“Are you all right, Laura?” Jennifer
asked, her voice edged with concern.

I nodded and flashed her a reassuring
smile.  She looked unconvinced.  She moved to stand beside me.  “Are you sure
you’re all right?” she asked again under her breath.

“I’m fine,” I said softly.

“We have to talk,” she whispered,
shooting me a look that dared me to argue. 

An opportunity presented itself when
Keith announced he was going for soft drinks and Dare decided to go with him. 
It was no surprise when Courtney said she was going, too.

Jennifer shook her head as they
walked away.  “She’s mad, Laura, big time.  You should have seen the look on
her face when Dare asked you to go on the ride with him.”  Eyes narrowed, she
continued, “And just exactly what did happen on that ride?”

“Nothing, Jen, really.”

“Laura, we’ve been best friends since
the third grade.  I can tell when you’ve been crying.”

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, as I
frantically searched my purse for a mirror.

“No,” Jennifer wailed.  “You look
fine.  I just know you, that’s all.  Now, what happened?”

“Oh, Jen, I almost died on that
stupid ride.  I can’t handle spinning and I almost got sick.”

“You!” she shrieked.  “I thought you
could handle anything.  You went bungee jumping, for heaven’s sakes.”

“I did not bungee jump.  I
almost
bungee jumped.”

She shook her head.  “We’re getting
off the subject,” she declared with a wave of her hand.  “Wait a minute.  Was
he mean to you?” she demanded, ready to defend me.  “He had no right being mean
about something like that.  What a jerk...”

“Hold it, Jen,” I interrupted.  “He
wasn’t a jerk.  He was really, really sweet.”

“Then why were you crying?” Jennifer
asked, thoroughly confused.

“We just got to talking about some
stuff, and I got upset.”

“But
he
didn’t upset you?”

“No, Jen,” I assured her. 

“Okay, Laura, if you’re sure...”

“I’m sure,” I said, then decided to
change the subject.  “So ... you and Keith seem to be getting along.”

“Isn’t he cute?” she cried.  “I
really like him.”

“But do you
like him
, like
him?” I teased.

“Oh, hush,” Jennifer said as Keith,
Dare, and Courtney walked toward us carrying soft drinks.

I studied Dare as he approached.  He
was so gorgeous.  My eyes were drawn to his lips.  He had kissed me on the
ride!  I couldn’t help smiling at the memory.  Dare must have noticed me
smiling since he grinned at me.  I knew then that I
liked him
, liked
him....

 

***

 

“Where have you been?” Dad demanded. 
“It’s after eleven!  The explorer meeting ended hours ago.”

I watched him, stunned.  When I found
my voice, I said, “After the meeting, some of us went to the carnival at the
mall.”

“Oh.  Okay.  I’d appreciate a call
next time, though.  I was worried.”  He brightened considerably.  “Did you have
a good time?”

I watched him curiously, intrigued by
his sudden mood change.  “The carnival was fun,” I said slowly.

“I mean, the meeting.  Did you like
it?”

I paused briefly and considered my
words carefully.  I realized I had enjoyed the meeting.  I was looking forward
to our community project and I’d actually enjoyed learning about self-defense,
after I’d gotten over my initial reticence.  “It was interesting,” I told him. 

“What’d you do at the meeting?”

“We talked about self-defense.”   

Dad nodded eagerly.  “That does sound
interesting,” he said enthusiastically.

“Well, good night, Dad.  I think I’ll
turn in now.”

“Ah, heck,” he said, surprising me. 
“You don’t have school tomorrow, and I can go in a little late in the morning. 
Why don’t we make milkshakes and watch a little TV?”

What alien has taken over my father’s
body? I wondered as I followed him into the kitchen.  “Need any help?” I asked.

“Nope.  I can handle it.”  He began
preparing the milkshakes.

Soon, he passed me a tall chocolate
shake with a straw.  “Dad’s special double thick,” he declared.

“Definitely double thick,” I noted
after an unsuccessful attempt to drink some through the straw.  Giving up, I
went to the silverware drawer and grabbed a couple spoons.

“Thanks,” he said as I handed him
one.  He sat down in the chair next to me and smiled.  “Tell me more about the
meeting.”

“Not much to tell, really.  Like I
said, we talked mostly about self-defense.” 

Suddenly, I remembered Lieutenant
Hudson mentioning L.E.C.  I was curious about it, and had forgotten to ask Dare
to fill me in.  After stuffing a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth, I asked,
“Dad, can you tell me anything about L.E.C.?”

“Mmmmm,” he replied, and hastily
swallowed a mouthful of ice cream.  “Sure, hon.  Every year, the explorers hold
a competition where they participate in a series of law enforcement events.”

“What events?” I asked curiously.

“Well, if memory serves, there are
several.  Let me think...  Oh, yes, there’s the felony stop, traffic stop,
target shoot, mile run, accident investigation...  You’ll have to ask Hudson
for specifics, though, since he’s been involved with the program since Day
One.  Oh, that reminds me,” he said, “Hudson called tonight.”

Dad stood from the table and took a
small piece of paper off the counter.  “I wrote the message down,” he muttered. 
He pulled his glasses from his shirt pocket and put them on.  He read, “Can
Laura and Jennifer stop by the station tomorrow?  We need to order their
uniforms.  Uh, what time did he say?” he wondered aloud.  “Knew there was a
reason I write these things down.”  Turning the paper over, he said
triumphantly, “Here it is!  Eleven-thirty.  Be at the station at
eleven-thirty.”

Dad was grinning, obviously pleased
with himself.  “Can’t wait to see my little girl in a uniform.  Not that I want
you to be a deputy,” he hurriedly assured me.

BOOK: Dare to Love (Young Adult Romance)
6.47Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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