Finding Hope (Love's Compass Book 2) (14 page)

By the time they said their goodnights, Lance’s heart was light.

Lance helped Lexi put her rolling suitcase in the back of his Jeep and opened the door for her. She put on her seat belt, excited for the weekend. It’d been a while since she’d gone out of town for anything fun. She didn’t realize how much she needed this until now.

She kicked her shoes off for the long drive. “I’ve got almost forty-eight hours before I have to work again. I’m more than ready for this.”

“Me, too.” He looked at her, a grin on his face.

“Tell me about the sisters I’m going to meet today.”

They spent the majority of the drive talking about family, funny things that happened at previous renaissance fairs Lance had been to, and eating sandwiches along the way. By the time they got to the hotel, it was almost nine. He had booked hotel rooms down the same hall making it easy for them to all connect. The other members of his family were already at a restaurant next door and had texted to let Lance know. He and Lexi deposited their things in their rooms and walked back down the hall to the elevator.

The door closed. Lance took one of her hands in his and rested his other on the rail against the wall behind her. “I may not get the chance to do this again before we leave.” His voice was husky, his intentions clear.

Lexi took in a deep breath. When she didn’t object, he kissed her. Every other thought drifted away as she relished the feel of his lips against hers in a kiss she wouldn’t forget for a long time to come.

The chime of the elevator announced their arrival. Lance moved back, but he moved his arm to encircle her waist as they stepped into the lobby.

Lexi’s legs felt weak as she worked to even her breathing. She tried to get her thoughts in order before they reached the restaurant.

As soon as they entered, Lexi spotted the Davenports waving them over. The feel of Lance’s hand on her lower back reassured her, relieving an onslaught of nerves.

“Hey, everyone!” Lance gave hugs all the way around the table. Then he turned and made introductions.

Lexi greeted Peter and Vera again with a wave and a smile. His sister, Gwen, was a younger version of Vera. She was holding hands with Zane, her husband of a few months. Beth, the youngest Davenport sibling, resembled Lance in some ways. His family seemed friendly and Lexi was happy to join them at the table, sitting between Lance and Vera.

“We’re happy you could join us, Lexi,” Vera said, a sincere smile on her face. “We remember meeting you a few times, but never had much opportunity to visit.”

“I remember, ma’am. It was at Lance’s high school graduation and then again, when he and Tuck graduated from the police academy. I’m sure we’ve run into each other at least a time or two since.”

“Yes, I think you’re right. And those events are always busy, it’s hard to visit with too many people. Have you ever been to a renaissance fair before?”

“No, ma’am. I sure haven’t.”

“Please, call me Vera.” She took a drink of her lemonade. “And I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Who knows, maybe you’ll be a new fan and can go with us every year to the one in Oklahoma.”

Lexi glanced at Lance and back to his mom. “I’m sure I’ll have fun. I think my sister-in-law, Laurie, was a little jealous. She’s a photographer and said she would love to take photos of all the different costumes people wear.”

Zane spoke from across the table. “This will be my first renaissance fair, too. The good news, is they have alcohol there if we need that to get through the day.”

He winked and Gwen elbowed him hard in the ribs. “No one knows you well enough yet for you to joke like that,” she chided, blushing all the way to the roots of her hair. “He’s kidding.”

Lexi chuckled. Most of the dinner, she listened to the discussions that floated around her. How they had all intended to bring costumes and everything and dress up like they used to, but they hadn’t had enough time to prepare. They would have to go and not worry about blending in this year. Then they would have months to put together their costumes for the Oklahoma fair in May.

Secretly, Lexi was just as glad. For her first renaissance fair, she would rather play it safe.

Dinner wound down and people headed back to the hotel. The plan was to meet in the lobby for the continental breakfast at half past seven, that way they could be at the fair when doors opened at nine.

Everyone intended to stay the entire day until it closed with fireworks at nine that evening.

Lance walked her to her hotel room door. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like I’d better be.” She gave him a teasing smile. “It’ll be fun.”

“Definitely.” He gave her an all-too-brief kiss. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

~

There was already a crowd when they arrived at the fairgrounds the next morning. Lance held onto Lexi’s hand as they got their tickets and headed through the gates. With this many people, it would be easy to get separated.

“Wow, you can rent costumes?” Lexi’s voice was incredulous as they walked down a street with storefronts on either side. Each one designed and decorated to fit the period. He noted the one she was referring to with fancy dresses hanging in the window.

“Dressing up in costume is a big thing at fairs like this,” Vera said. “We always did. It makes you feel like you’re part of it.”

Lance watched as his dad maneuvered his walker through the crowd.

He knew Peter had hesitated in taking it, but with all the walking they would do today, Vera had insisted. It helped him move, but it also provided a chair for him to sit on when they stopped or when he needed a rest.

That Peter Davenport needed a walker at all bothered Lance.

His mind shifted to the woman walking beside him. She was dressed in capris and a blouse that flowed over her hips. She had chosen a scarf that went well with the blouse and brought out the color in her cheeks. They’d all brought jackets in case they needed them, but left them in the vehicles since warm weather was predicted. He gently squeezed her hand and took in a deep breath. She smelled like lavender and summer.

Lance enjoyed the day, seeing a renaissance fair through the eyes of someone who was there for the first time. Lexi seemed to have the most fun watching the jousting and sword fights.

That evening, Peter was getting tired. He and Vera found a spot to sit and listen to some entertainment. The rest of them perused the shops.

“Check these out, Lance!”

Lexi tugged on his hand to stop him in front of the glass blowing display. There was a man who was creating a vase as they watched, with many other pieces set up on tables and shelves.

“They are beautiful,” he commented. The way the guy was creating the vase with such precise and delicate movements was mesmerizing.

Lexi reached out and touched a glass ball the size of her palm. The shades of blue and white swirled inside in infinite patterns. “It reminds me of the ocean.”

A woman in period clothing walked up to the table. “You can pick it up if you’d like.”

Letting go of Lance’s hand, Lexi lifted the ball and cupped it in her hands. “It’s much lighter than I thought it would be. It’s amazing how detailed it is.” She set it back down again. She watched the man working with the glass. “You are talented.”

He gave a short nod. “Thank you, My Lady.”

Beth, Gwen, and Zane joined them. “Is anyone else getting hungry?” Gwen asked.

They decided they were.

Beth took hold of both Gwen and Lexi’s arms. “I think we girls should go powder our noses and meet you guys over by Mom and Dad.”

Lance watched as the women disappeared into the crowd. He turned to Zane. “Gwen seems happy. I’m glad for both of you.”

“I appreciate that. Lexi seems great,” Zane commented as they made their way back to where they’d left Peter and Vera.

“She is. I thank God every day she’s in my life.”

~

Lexi liked Lance’s sisters. They were both carefree and walked through the fair liked they owned the place. Which was good, because Lexi still felt very much like a tourist, and a lost one at that if they hadn’t been there to steer her in the right direction.

“I’m glad you came with us this weekend,” Gwen said as they picked their way through the crowd. “Mom and Dad appreciate it when the significant others join in family events.”

Lexi wanted to object about the significant other comment, but Beth was already talking. “It’s true. They weren’t sure about Zane until he fixed Mom’s car right after Christmas.”

“That was sweet of him,” Lexi agreed.

Gwen chuckled. “You’re the first woman Lance has ever brought home.” Her face became more serious. “This year has been rough for Dad with his stroke and all. There have been two good things that have come out of it, though. Lance took over the carpentry shop and he’s interested in you.”

“I imagine Peter was relieved to see the carpentry shop remain open.”

Beth nodded. “He was. That wasn’t the only thing that mattered. It’s Davenport Carpentry. It was Grandpa’s place before it was his. Dad wanted nothing more than for it to continue to stay in the family.”

Lexi hadn’t realized the shop had been in the family that long. “If Lance hadn’t been able to take over, is there no one else who could do it?”

Gwen spotted the rest of their party ahead and waved to them. “Dad was the only son in his family, like Lance is the only son in ours. He’s the last Davenport. If Lance hadn’t taken over the shop that would have been the end of it.”

Lexi continued walking with them, their voices fading to the background. Her legs felt numb and her mouth went dry.

Lance was the last Davenport man in his family. And he was interested in her — a woman who couldn’t give him children, much less a son to carry on the family name. Did his parents know any of that? Would they have been so kind if they had?

The last week with Lance had been amazing. She’d let her guard down. The worst part was she’d known better. She should have listened to her gut and insisted she and Lance stay friends.

~

Lance polished off the last of his turkey leg and threw the bone in a nearby trash barrel. He wiped his hands off on a paper towel and tossed that, too.

“Wow, this is good.” Lexi took another bite out of the fried chicken breast on a stick. “I’ll have to search around online and get a batter recipe. I want to try making some of these.”

“You should make them for Tuck. He’d love it.”

“Yes, he would. Though I would have to make a dozen of them just for him.”

She chuckled. Her gaze flitted from his face to the musicians playing across the square.

A breeze was picking up now that the sun had set. Another forty minutes and they would end the evening with fireworks before heading back to the hotel.

Sitting out under the stars was the perfect way to end the day.

Peter was talking about how he’d liked one of the booths they’d seen. It featured wooden items that had been decorated using wood burning.

“I was thinking, Lance. Maybe I could learn how to do that. I could add details to some of your work.”

“I’d like that, Dad. It’s a great idea.”

The light in Peter’s eyes as he talked about his new hobby in the making had his whole family excited for him.

Vera shifted closer to her son. “You were right. This was what he needed. Thank you.”

Lance put an arm around her. “I’m glad he’s finding another focus.”

Lexi was laughing with Beth. Lance leaned back against some bricks behind him and enjoyed watching her. The breeze was blowing her scarf around her shoulders. She brushed it back behind her with those long, delicate fingers.

He could watch her laugh like that for hours.

A few minutes later, he moved to Lexi’s side. “Is there anything else you need before the fireworks start?”

“No, thank you. I’m good.”

She smiled at him, but there was something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He’d been wondering about it for a couple of hours now. “Are you okay?”

“I’m getting tired. It’s been a lot of fun and I’m glad I came. But I’ll be glad to get back to the hotel.”

“I should have offered to take you back early.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, Lance. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the fireworks.”

He reached for her hand and tugged her to his side. “I’m glad you came, too.” He kissed her temple.

The sky lit up with blue and red as appreciative cheers erupted from the crowd. Lexi moved to sit on a low brick wall behind them. He joined her, putting an arm around her shoulders.

The fireworks display intensified.

“They are beautiful,” Lexi said.

They weren’t nearly as beautiful as the woman sitting next to him.

~

Lexi wanted to lean into Lance’s strength and warmth so desperately that it hurt. She closed her eyes against the pain that was growing in her heart. How was she going to act normal tomorrow during the drive home?