Romancing the Storm: Second Chances (8 page)

How I manage to drag myself out of bed the next morning I'll never know. I feel like a zombie. I hurt for Judah. I'm pretending I'm excited about my new journey with Blaine. I finish packing, and before I realize it, Blaine is knocking at the door yelling it's time to go.

"Hurry, we should have left an hour ago. We might miss the plane," he says. He doesn't ask how I'm doing. He's all business as he loads my bags. I turn off the lights and bid my little home good-bye for now. My parents are supposed to come back in a couple of weeks and he they said they'd take care of the home for me.

I sit in the back seat of the extend cab truck on the way to the airport in Cincinnati. Blaine's father goes on and on about how busy we'll be and what I can expect.

Blaine turns around. "We just don't want you to have the wrong idea about what you're in for when we arrive in Africa," he says.

"I want to help. I want to be with you as well," I say looking at Blaine.

"Honey, if you think this is a trip where you and Blaine will be connecting a lot I'm afraid you're in for disappointment," Dr. Kendall says.

I'm beginning to feel constricted. It's as if they are both talking me out of going. My palms become sweaty. "I understand," I say and resume watching the scenery go by as we drive. The longer I listen to Dr. Kendall and his son the more I feel I am making a big mistake. They are on a tight schedule, though; the plane is due to take off shortly after arriving.

The closer we get to the airport in Cincinnati the more I am coming to a different conclusion on my life with Blaine. He's talking about this Naomi as if she's a goddess. I ask if I can perhaps work with him and put her on the water team and receive an absolutely no from Dr. Kendall.
She's the daughter of my colleague and friend. She will remain working with Blaine
.

"We need to hurry," Blaine says to me as he unloads his bags. He leaves mine for me to unload and runs to keep up with his father. It's as if I'm on my own. I take my time because I want to see if he'll turn to check on me. He does and after he sends his bags through he comes back to me.

My heart stops when I see a man who looks just like Judah. For a split second I thought he had come for a last minute try. I feel a deep ache when I realize it's not Judah. I know what I must do.

"We need to talk," I say to Blaine and step aside.

"We don't have time, let's talk on the plane," he says.

"Will I be sitting with you on the aircraft?" I ask. Sure enough, the tickets are for different rows.

"No," he says his eyes downcast.

"Then I want to know, do you want me to come to Africa?"

"Of course I do, that's why you're here, right?" he says and pulls me along through security. We scurry to the counter and have our tickets stamped.

"Gracelyn," a voice says as I spin around to see Judah standing there in the waiting area for our plane.

"Judah, what are you doing here?" I ask my eyes wide.

"I couldn't let you leave without one more try," he says begging me to stay.

I glance at Blaine as he narrows his eyes to Judah. "Say your goodbye and we need to go," Blaine says and turns to join his father. I nod.

"Judah, you shouldn't have come," I say as my heart wants me to rush into his arms.

"Pick me Gracelyn. You love me not him. You may love him but not like you love me. You and I have something. I know you felt it on the island and all the times we've spent together," Judah says, his brown eyes are not leaving mine.

"Judah please," I say as the tears spring forth in my eyes.

"Please. My heart is yours, Gracie."

I back away shaking my head. I want to scream and run to Blaine, but yet there's another part of me that wants to run into Judah's arms. Judah is on the verge of tears. He shakes his head. "I just had to try one last time," he says and backs away. "Go be with Blaine if that's what you want so badly." With that, he turns and leaves.

"Judah," I whisper as the tears fall freely from my eyes. Blaine walks up to me and spins me around.

"Seriously? You're crying over that cad?"

I shake my head. I can't do this. I turn to see if Judah is near and he's not. I panic and shake my head. "I can't do this Blaine, I'm sorry," I say backing away. I need to run to the counter and ask for my luggage back.

"What's going on Gracelyn? What are you doing? We need to board the plane, they've called for us, come on," Blaine says as he pulls my hand. I spin around.

"Blaine, I love you. But I don't think it's healthy enough to sustain us. I love Judah. I realize I can't leave him. You go to Africa, a free man. I don't belong to you," I say through my tears.

I run up to the counter and tell the lady I need my luggage because I've changed my mind. She puts a call in and says it will be put back on the belt. I turn to Blaine again. "I'm so sorry, I don't mean to hurt you like this. I just can't do this. I can't go," I say.

"Are you sure?" he asks and hugs me to him. "I won't stop you from staying. Africa is a hard life, Gracie. I'm sorry, please don't be upset. Better for this to happen here than there," Blaine says and releases me. I nod. "Now go, find Judah. I'll be okay."

I smile through the tears and turn to find Judah. I pull out my phone and push his number. It goes straight to voice mail, so I grab my luggage and tear through the airport. People are calling for others, so I decide to add to it hoping he hears me. "Judah," I yell acting as if I see him.

I just happen to glance over at the windows where people are watching the planes leave. I see the plane I was supposed to board start to roll away. Judah stands there watching it his eyes glued to the window. "Judah!"

He doesn't hear so I keep calling. He eventually turns, his eyes bloodshot and looks at me as shock rides across his face. He changes from torment to a big smile and rushes to me. I drop the luggage and run into his arms.

"Judah! I choose you," I cry and he cries along with me. "I couldn't go. I want to be with you. I choose you." He leans in and brushes his lips to mine in a kiss that won't let up. My arms encircle him; I won't let go again.

He strokes my hair as he holds me tightly, his breath hot on my neck. "Gracelyn," he says.

"I love you, Judah," I cry.

"I love you too Gracelyn Gregg." My heart soars. This is the best impromptu decision I've ever made.

He picks up my luggage, and we go to his Jeep. I am so happy tears sting my eyes. “Where to love?” Judah asks.

I lean in and our lips meet. I want him more than I’ve wanted anyone in my life. We’ve had so many close moments and never gave in entirely to them. “Wherever we can be together for the first time,” I say and bat my eyes.

He grins and shoves the key in the ignition. “Well, lucky for you, we can go on another adventure. Lucky for you I carry a suitcase wherever I go because of my work,” he says.

I laugh. “Lucky for you I have a bag packed with enough stuff to go to another continent.”

Judah clasps my hand as he guides the Jeep into traffic and once again we’re on the open road together. This time we head north. The windows are down and the breeze blows our hair. I don’t care, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Last night, I felt as if I’d lost my best friend in the world. Today, even though I just sent the man I thought I love on the plane without me, I realize the man meant for me has been by my side the entire time. I draw in a ragged breath as my head spins.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

Judah just grins at me and shrugs his shoulder. “We live in a big beautiful country. I thought we’d travel north, maybe until we hit the Great Lakes.” He glances at me as he pulls my hand to his lips.

I sit back and smile as I watch the scenery of Ohio go by while we travel. The sun is directly overhead and there’s a definite nip in the air. I’m grateful for the clear skies which reflect my mood, sunny and bright. My thoughts filter back to last summer and the way I felt on the island. I wanted Judah then. I wanted to be more than what we were, but I held back. Always holding back is wearing me out. I’m glad I did the impulsive thing and let Blaine go.

We arrive at Lake Erie about an hour before the sun sets. This time Judah finds a beautiful lake front hotel and books one room. I stand back giggling to myself while he pays. We act like love sick teens as we board the elevator that takes us up to our room, our first lover’s hideout.

Judah doesn’t waste any time. He throws the bags down and pulls me into his arms. He pauses and looks deep into my eyes, searching me, knowing me, better than anyone else. I can’t take the wait so I throw my arms around his neck and draw him to me. We kiss, first slow and gentle, then it turns into a furious passion.  A love too long denied. He moves me to the bed and there we tumble backwards, laughing and clawing at each other.

He pulls my shirt off and takes his time exploring my body, this time is not holding back as he did so many times before. “I want to relish this moment. I’ve waited for so long,” he says as he breathes into my hair, kissing my ears and nibbling down my neck. I squirm with the anticipation as gooseflesh prickles down my neck and back as he tantalizes me with every caress.

Giving in to Judah feels as easy as jumping into the waterfall. It’s a scary step, but once I fling myself off the ledge, the dive is exhilarating. Judah’s love carries me through the night as we enjoy each other. I’ve never felt this way before or had a man pay so much attention to the pleasure I so desperately sought. Loving him takes me to new heights, I simply can’t get enough of his face, his hands, and his incredible body.

The next day after a few hours of sleep, I wiggle beside him in bed, not wanting the moment to end. “Do we have to go?” I ask as I yawn and stretch.

“Your wish is my command. I’m off work until next Tuesday, so we have a few days. Let’s just enjoy this little vacation,” Judah says as he pulls me to him.

We made love over and over during our long weekend. It takes everything I have to hold back as we load the Jeep to head back home. I sigh, contented, in the seat beside him as he steers the vehicle south.

He grabs my hand. I feel tingles in my belly every time he does. He kisses it and smiles at me. “No regrets?” he asks.

“No. Absolutely not. You?” I ask, my heart thumping hard waiting for his answer.

“No, no regrets. The only regrets I have is not pushing you to this sooner,” he says and glances at me.

I swallow and sigh. Yeah, I do have regrets there. I am sorry pouring so much of myself into a man who took me so lightly. I see now how self-centered Blaine was and how I didn’t come first in our relationship. He never made love to me the way Judah did. In fact, the lovemaking between Blaine and me stayed one-sided. How could I be such an idiot?

“I’m so sorry, Jude. I really am. If I have any regrets, it’s about before. I regret not breaking it off with Blaine sooner. Man, can you imagine our time on the island?” I ask as I look at the road ahead steeped in the memory of last summer.

“It’s okay. We were together regardless. We’re right in now and that’s what matters, right? We’ll start from this point on making more memories. Grace, we have our whole lives ahead of us. I know one thing for certain, I know who I’m supposed to be with,” Judah says.

I smile and blush. It’s nice to hear the words. It’s nice to be treasured. We make our way back home and start our lives anew, together. When I tell my parents, they are thrilled. They always liked Judah and my mother even wondered why I didn’t go for him in the first place.

Judah and I hardly parted over the next weeks. If he didn’t stay at my house, I was at his. We were together in so many ways and I floated through the days not caring about the petty things that bugged me before. I acquired a job at the school as a substitute teacher since I stepped down from my position. The principal said I had a good chance at a full time position the following year. I happily performed my duties as a sub and looked forward to the possibilities of the future.

On the days Judah worked I missed him terribly. He called me every evening and we made plans for when he came home. It didn’t take long for the community to get wind of our relationship and the fact that I had left Blaine. I ran into Cara one day while shopping for groceries for Judah and me.

“I’m so happy for you and Judah. It’s about time, don’t you think?” she says as she flashes her pearly smile.

“I think so,” I say feeling a little apprehensive since Blaine is her cousin. I dare to ask. “How is Blaine?”

“Oh, he’s okay. He’s recovered from the little heartbreak you put him through. He’s with Neesha now,” Cara says and tilts her head to the side as she looks at me. “You know, I think he was with her before, that’s why I tried to get you to move on from him. He’s not as much of a Mr. Nice Guy as you probably thought. I’m sorry. I should have said something, but I didn’t want to stick my nose in it.”

I blink not sure what to say. I stand there feeling a mixture of emotions from a fleeting hurt to relief that I had let him go. I smile and touch her on the arm. “It’s okay. I wish him nothing but the best,” I say and turn to leave.

The news of Blaine doesn’t get to me as much as I thought it would. More than anything I’m just amused. Judah more than occupies my time and my heart now.