Setting the Pace Read online

  But all of a sudden, she did. She knew exactly what she needed to say. And for the first time, she was ready to say it.

  “…and then she said ‘I do,’ just like he said,” Maxi said excitedly. “It was just like on TV, when Princess Peabody got married to Prince Pepper. Except they both said it at the same time.”

  Carole grinned. She had no idea which TV show the little girl was referring to, but it didn’t seem to matter. “Oh, really?” she asked. “That must have been a nice wedding, too. But I thought this one was very romantic, didn’t you?”

  “What’s omantuck mean?” Maxi asked.

  Cam, who was standing beside Carole, sighed loudly. “You’ll learn about that in school someday,” he said abruptly. “Carole, want to go grab some sodas or something?”

  “In a minute.” Carole leaned closer to Maxi. “Romantic means, well, ‘romantic’ It’s like when you really, really love someone, and you love being with them. It makes everything seem wonderful and special. That’s romantic.”

  “Oh.” Maxi thought about that for a second, pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. Her mother had put the little girl’s hair up in a bun for the occasion, but somehow, between Maxi’s entrance before the ceremony and the present time, most of her silky auburn hair had made its way free, leaving just a few strands tucked up beneath a pink ribbon. “Then I guess I think Mulligan is romantic.”

  Carole laughed. “Your puppy? No, no, that’s different,” she said. “Puppies are wonderful and special, too. But in a different way.”

  “Carole,” Cam muttered. “Come on. I’m thirsty.”

  Carole blinked and shot him a surprised look. Was it her imagination, or did he sound a little grumpy? She realized that not everyone their age liked hanging around with little kids, but Maxi wasn’t just any little kid. She was one of Carole’s favorite people, five years old or not. Besides, this was Maxi’s first wedding—it was no surprise that she was excited and eager to talk over every detail.

  “The wedding was fun,” Maxi said confidently, not seeming to notice Cam’s comment. “But Mommy says the next part is even funner. She says that next comes the exception.”

  “I think she probably meant ‘reception,’” Carole corrected gently. “That means—”

  “Carole!” Cam interrupted, sounding impatient. “I really think we should go down and check on the horses now. Don’t you?”

  “Oh.” Carole flushed, realizing just how antsy Cam really was. She guessed that Maxi had been prattling on longer than she’d realized, and he was eager to get on with enjoying the reception. “Um, okay. Excuse us, please, Maxi. We have to go for a few minutes. Why don’t you go say hi to Stevie? She’s right over there, and I know she really wants to talk to you.” She pointed out her friend, who was nearby chatting with Scott and Callie as the three of them helped themselves to refreshments.

  “Okay!” Maxi said cheerfully. With a wave, she skipped off toward the others.

  Carole turned to face Cam. “Sorry about that,” she said. “But Maxi is so cute, I just had to see what she thought of the wedding.”

  “Yeah, okay.” Cam smiled beseechingly. “But certain other people want a little of your attention, too.”

  Carole smiled back, feeling warm and flattered. It was nice to have a guy so eager to spend time with her that he couldn’t think about anything else. This was the first time in her life that she’d ever felt so desirable, and it was a pretty nice feeling most of the time.

  Of course, it would’ve been nice to spend a few more minutes hanging out with Maxi, she thought a bit resentfully. I haven’t seen much of her lately.

  She did her best to shake off the thought, though. “It looks like Maxi’s pretty well distracted,” she commented, glancing over to where the little girl was racing off toward the kitchen. “Want to grab those sodas now?”

  “I’ve got a better idea.” Cam took her hand and tugged gently, leading her toward the front door. “Let’s be true to our word and go check on those horses.”

  “Okay,” Carole agreed with a slight blush, figuring that he just wanted to step outside so that they could be alone for a moment.

  The memory of how she’d felt that afternoon in his room—nervous, helpless, overwhelmed—swept over her briefly. But she put it out of her mind. Sneaking a few smooches on Max’s front porch wasn’t anywhere near the same sort of thing. Besides, hadn’t she just been thinking how glad she was that Cam understood how she’d felt about that, that she could trust him?

  Soon the two of them were stepping outside into the bracing winter night. But instead of stopping, Cam continued across the porch and down the steps. “Wait a minute,” Carole said. “Where are we going?”

  Cam blinked at her. “The barn,” he said. “That’s where they keep the horses, remember?”

  “Oh! You mean we’re really going to check on them?” Carole said uncertainly. “Um, I just thought—never mind. But shouldn’t we wait a little while? I mean, the reception just started, and we haven’t even had a chance to congratulate Red and Denise yet.”

  Cam smiled. “Don’t worry, they’ll still be here when we get back. They can wait a little while for our official congratulations.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “But I’m not sure I can wait any longer to be close to you.”

  “Oh.” Carole didn’t know what to say to that. She was eager to spend more time alone with Cam, too, especially after being apart for a week. But did it really have to be in the middle of good friends’ wedding reception?

  She almost immediately felt guilty for that thought. How could she nitpick about Cam’s timing? He wanted to be with her, that was all. He wanted it so much that he couldn’t think about anything else. Shouldn’t she feel the same way? Wasn’t she being silly in worrying so much about missing a few minutes of the reception?

  “Okay,” she said, glad that it was dark so that he couldn’t see her blushing. “I mean, me too.” Slipping her hand into Cam’s, she glanced down at the darkened stable building. “Let’s go.”

  Stevie glanced up from the punch bowl just in time to see Cam open the front door and usher Carole through. “Wonder where they’re going?” she muttered.

  “Huh?” Phil followed her gaze. Then he smirked. “Do you really have to wonder?” he teased, slipping an arm around her waist. “I never realized you were so naive, my dear. Want to go upstairs and take a look at my etchings?”

  “Very funny,” Stevie said, making a face at him. But she realized he was right. Cam had returned from his trip only that day. Naturally he and Carole would want to steal a few private moments to get reacquainted, especially after such a romantic ceremony.

  I just hope it had the same kind of romantic effect on a certain other couple—or rather, ex-couple—I could mention, she thought. That reminded her that she hadn’t seen Lisa since they’d all gotten up from their seats a few minutes earlier. She glanced around the room, but there was no sign of her. There was also no sign of Alex.

  Stevie gulped. This was it, then. The big conversation was probably taking place at that very moment. As she glanced around, trying to make certain that she wasn’t missing something—that Lisa wouldn’t suddenly appear from the direction of the powder room, or Alex become evident leaning over the refreshments table and stuffing his face—she noticed that someone else was scanning the room as well.

  Uh-oh, Stevie thought. Looks like maybe Scott just noticed that Lisa and Alex are both missing, too.

  She was sure that Scott wouldn’t do anything to get in the way of anything that might happen between Alex and Lisa, one way or the other. Pretty sure, anyway.

  “Hey,” she said, grabbing Phil’s jacket sleeve and almost making him drop the cheese he was layering on a cracker. “There’s Scott. Let’s go say hi.”

  Phil gave her a suspicious look. “Any particular reason you’re feeling the urge to talk to him all of a sudden?” He popped the cracker into his mouth.

  Stevie shrugged and grinned. Phil knew
her too well. There was no point in trying to cover up what she was thinking. He knew how worried she was about the fate of Alex and Lisa’s relationship, and he also knew how interested Scott was in that very same topic. “Oh, I just thought it might be a good idea to distract him right about now.” Keeping her hold on Phil’s arm, she dragged him off in Scott’s direction.

  It wasn’t until they had almost reached him that Stevie noticed that, in addition to Callie, he was standing with Ben Marlow. She blinked, surprised. As far as she had ever been able to tell, Scott and Ben got along about as well as oil and water. For some reason, Scott’s easy, smooth charm just seemed to rub Ben the wrong way. And Ben’s taciturn, sometimes sullen manner tended to turn off most of the people he encountered, and Scott was no exception.

  She didn’t waste much time worrying about Ben, though. “Hey,” she greeted the trio. “Quite a wedding, huh?”

  “It was really nice,” Callie said, glancing over her shoulder and frowning slightly.

  Stevie cocked her head, wondering why Callie looked so weird—almost nervous. But she forgot about that when she noticed Scott staring toward the front door. “So!” Stevie said, a little too loudly. “What did you all think of Denise’s dress?”

  Meanwhile, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Ben was sidling away from the group. When he caught Stevie looking at him, he cleared his throat. “Horses,” he muttered. “Better go check on them.” Without another word, he turned and hurried toward the door.

  With a shrug, Stevie returned her attention to Scott. “Did you hear me?” She poked Scott in the shoulder. “Denise’s wedding dress. Huh? Pretty, isn’t it?” She gestured vaguely toward the bride, who was standing across the room talking to some of her grad-school friends.

  Scott raised an eyebrow. “Denise’s dress?” he repeated, glancing in the bride’s direction. “Sure, it’s nice. Since when are you so interested in bridal fashions, Stevie?” He waggled his eyebrows at Phil. “You two don’t have any announcements to make, do you?”

  “Ha, ha.” Stevie grinned weakly. She glanced at Callie for help, figuring that Scott’s sister must be aware of how he was probably feeling at the moment, and of what Stevie was trying to do.

  But Callie didn’t seem to be paying attention to the conversation. She was hunched up against the nearest table, her eyes darting here and there and a nervous-looking frown on her pretty face.

  What’s wrong with her? Stevie wondered. Doesn’t she like weddings? Or is something else going on that I don’t know about?

  She opened her mouth to ask, but before she could, Scott scowled. “Incoming,” he whispered to his sister.

  “Huh?” Stevie said, glancing over her shoulder. When she saw George Wheeler hurrying toward them, she realized what Scott must have meant.

  Uh-oh, she thought. Callie’s been trying to let George down gently for ages. And now that he’s telling everyone who’ll listen how she practically saved his life last week, it must be harder than ever to do that.

  Still, Stevie wasn’t prepared for Callie’s reaction to Scott’s warning. “E-Excuse me,” she murmured. Then she took off, literally running for the hallway leading past the kitchen to the powder room.

  Stevie blinked. “Callie?” she called, but her friend was already gone. Stevie turned toward Scott. “What was that all about?”

  Scott didn’t answer. He just shook his head sadly as George reached them, huffing and puffing as if he’d just run the Kentucky Derby on foot.

  “Hi!” George said breathlessly. “Wasn’t Callie here a second ago?”

  Scott nodded shortly. “She had to go.”

  “And so do I,” Stevie put in, suddenly concerned. Something was going on with Callie—something more than an attempt to avoid an annoying crush. And Stevie intended to find out what it was. She glanced at Phil. “Back in a sec.”

  Without waiting for a response, she hurried off in the direction Callie had gone. Soon she was in the narrow hallway, which was relatively quiet compared to the noisy and crowded main room. Stevie approached the powder room door, which was closed.

  “Callie?” She knocked gently. “It’s Stevie. Are you in there?”

  The door opened so abruptly that Stevie jumped back in surprise. Callie’s tearstained face looked out at her. “Get in here!” she whispered with a sob.

  Stevie obeyed. Seconds later the door was shut behind her. Callie locked it and then backed away, huddling against the sink. Her hands and shoulders were shaking uncontrollably, and her face was as pale as Stevie had ever seen it.

  “Callie!” Stevie was more than concerned now; she was downright scared. What could possibly have happened to make her friend—usually so confident and together—break down like this? “What’s the matter? You can tell me.… Obviously something’s really gotten to you, and I want to help. Please, what is it?”

  “Why don’t you mind your own business, Stevie?” Callie snapped. “I wouldn’t have let you in if I thought I’d be getting the third degree.”

  Stevie winced slightly. Despite her pathetic appearance, Callie’s tone was nasty. But Stevie wasn’t about to be scared off by a few insulting words. “This is my business,” she told Callie. “You’re my friend, and you’re in trouble, or hurting, or something. That makes it my business. Now what’s wrong?”

  “It’s stupid,” Callie muttered, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m an idiot.”

  Now they were getting somewhere. Stevie stepped over and took Callie’s free hand. “No, you’re not,” she said firmly. “Whatever’s going on, I really do want to help. Now spill it before I have to whup you upside the head.”

  That actually earned a wan smile. Callie took a deep breath. “All right, I’ll tell you. But you have to promise not to think I’m a total loser, okay?”

  “That’s a promise I know I can make.” Stevie crossed her heart.

  Callie sighed loudly and reached for a tissue, dabbing at her face. “Okay, then,” she said, her voice trembling. “I guess you might as well know the truth. Not that you’ll believe it anyway—I barely believe it myself sometimes.”

  By now, Stevie couldn’t even imagine what Callie was about to tell her. But she knew there was only one way to find out. She stepped across the small room and perched on the closed toilet seat, making herself as comfortable as possible. Then she gazed at Callie somberly. “I’m listening.”

  “Okay, then,” Callie said again. She bit her lip. “It all started last week, when I decided to take Scooby way out in the woods for a good training session.…”

  Nearly fifteen minutes had passed since Carole and Cam had left the Regnerys’ front porch. The night was clear and not too cold, and it had just been too tempting to stop a few times to look up at the countless stars twinkling overhead. There was no moon, and the warm yellow light pouring out onto the frostbitten grass made the darkness beyond seem deeper and more private than ever. Carole’s fingers and toes were cold, but her face was warm from Cam’s kisses.

  “This is nice,” Cam murmured as he brushed his lips over her chin.

  Carole giggled. “I know,” she said. “But don’t you think we should try to get to the stable soon? My toes are starting to freeze.”

  “Uh-oh!” Cam’s face registered mock concern. “I think we’d better do something about that.”

  He grabbed Carole, lifting her right off her feet. “Yikes!” she yipped in surprise, grabbing his neck for balance. “Are you crazy? You’re going to give yourself a hernia or something!”

  “I would carry you to the ends of the earth,” Cam replied gallantly, kissing her on the tip of her nose. “Luckily, though, I won’t have to. We’re almost there.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, Carole realized that the stable’s rear entrance was just a few yards away. “So we are,” she said lightly as Cam stepped forward into the dim patch of light coming through the nearest window. “Does this mean we can head inside and warm up?”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Cam
nuzzled her neck, then lowered her gently until she was back on her own two feet.

  Soon they were inside. Carole had always loved the hushed, peaceful, private feeling she got from being in the stable at night. There were no screaming beginner riders, no radio playing in the office, no banging of metal pitchforks or gurgling of hoses. The only sounds were made by the horses—their breathing, chewing, and gentle snuffles and snorts. Being a witness to that was always special, but being there with Cam that night felt even more so.

  “Isn’t this amazing?” Carole’s voice automatically lowered to a whisper as she breathed in the smell of hay and warm horseflesh. She glanced at the nearest stall, where one of the stable ponies was snoozing contentedly, and smiled.

  Cam stepped up to her and rested his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her. “Uh-huh,” he said. He glanced toward the entryway, where the overhead light was on, casting dim light and gentle shadows down the stable aisle where they were standing. “So is that like a night-light for the horses?”

  “Not usually.” Carole shrugged, her mind more on the horses surrounding her than on the light. “I guess someone must have forgotten to turn it off. Or maybe Max is planning to come down after the…” She let her voice trail off as she realized that Cam wasn’t listening. Instead, he was staring intently into her eyes.

  “Carole,” he said in a low, husky voice, “you are so beautiful. You do know that, don’t you?”

  “Um.” Carole wasn’t sure how she was supposed to answer that.

  Before she could figure it out, Cam pulled her toward him with such force that she gasped out loud. He kissed her, and for a long moment she forgot everything else.

  A loud snort, accompanied by the dull thud of a hoof meeting a wooden wall, interrupted the moment. Carole blinked and pulled away. “What was that?” she wondered aloud, glancing down the aisle.

  “Never mind,” Cam murmured, caressing her cheek.