Page 34 of Too Close To Call

In my mind, I see a white and gray cloud coming at me. I shake my head to dispel the memory. “No, I can’t take that chance. Daisy needs you and I wouldn’t survive if something happened to you because of me. Drop it, Tor, just drop it. I’m happy with my life here.”

My mind is filled with images from what I remember of the wreck. I walk to the deck railing to get my frantic breathing under control.

Tori’s hands snake their way around my waist until her front is flush with my back. “I’m sorry, Case. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just want you to be happy and you seem so lost without racing in your life.”

I turn in her arms until I’m leaning back against the railing. Widening my stance, I pull her between my spread legs and wrap my arms around her, pulling her tightly to my chest. I kiss the top of her head and she turns to rest the side of her face just under my neck.

She looks up and it’s the most natural thing in the world to bend down and touch my lips to hers. All the pent-up terror that had my body tense and cold from those ugly memories disappears. I go back for a second and third kiss and then Tori reaches up and holds my face in her hands.

Looking into my eyes, she asks, “I need to say something and I need you not to freak out, okay?”

I give her a slight and cautious nod. She licks her lips and says, “I love you, Case Murphy. I’ve loved you for what seems like forever. I don’t expect you to say it back. I don’t even expect you to acknowledge to yourself that you do.”

She gives me the mischievous grin that I know so well and then adds, “I will accept your gracious offer to move in with you.”

I chuckle and brush her lips with mine once more. I’m stunned and yet have a contentment settle inside at hearing she loves me. There are still doubts lurking about, though. I don’t want to notice them, but they are there all the same. “You and Daisy come with me tomorrow night to my parents’ cookout. It’s an every Thursday night kind of thing. And, please, don’t cook anything.”

Tori swats me on the shoulder with her hand, knowing I’m referring to her lack of expertise in the kitchen, and we laugh. We both know it’s true.

CHAPTER 12

TORI

Things have changed between me and Case since last night. I’m afraid to believe this means something. He showed up at the apartment at eight this morning with a waffle and bacon breakfast from Shyanne’s restaurant. Daisy ran to get dressed and Case snuck in a left-me-breathless kiss while she was gone. After we ate, he helped us pack and moved us to his guest cottage.

Daisy thinks the cottage belongs in one of her princess stories. It is the cutest little house I’ve ever seen and does look like it’s right out of the pages of a fairytale, even down to the purple wisteria hanging around the arched front door.

A stone pathway leads to a side door of the main house and a wooden boardwalk turns into steps that go down to the beach. Then there’s the pool. Daisy is beyond excited that she can not only look out her window and see the ocean anytime she wants, but she can also swim in the ocean or pool. With adult supervision. I made sure to stress the last part.

I didn’t remind her that her dad will be picking her up in two days to take her and her two brothers to you know where… the largest theme park in the world. She’s going to be disappointed to leave the cottage, but she’ll be fine once they get to Florida and she sees the grandness and princess-ness of the place.

Ryan invited me to go with him and Meghan, and I would have, but this will be the first vacation they’ve gone on as a family since the twins were born and I didn’t want to intrude. I’d scheduled extra classes during the two weeks Daisy is going to be with her father, and now I feel guilty because the guys will have to pick up my slack. I’ll make sure they get a summer bonus for sure.

Case fixed lunch for us, which we ate in sand chairs down on the beach. We played in the water, and then transitioned to the pool until Daisy was falling asleep. After a much needed nap, we ran into town and I grabbed a box of cookies from Love Bites and made it back to Case’s house in time for us to leave for his family’s cookout.

Since we got here, Case hasn’t turned my hand loose once. He’s introduced me to everyone as Daisy’s mom and a friend from his racing days. I’m disappointed, but what did I expect? We may be on friendly terms now, but that’s all we are. I look down at our clasped hands. This feels like more. It’s confusing and, dare I say, the proverbial “complicated.”

We’re standing near the railing on the deck overlooking the ocean when Case’s mom, Hannah, joins us. “Case, honey, why don’t you go get you and Tori a slice of key lime pie before it’s all gone?”

Case chuckles. “I know when I’m being dismissed.”

He doesn’t move an inch before he turns his eyes my way and silently asks if I’m okay with him leaving. That’s so like Case. I grin and nod. I like Case’s mom. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to have this loving, caring woman as a mother growing up. He squeezes my hand and leans in to whisper in my ear. “I told my family everything. There are no more secrets.”

My stomach drops as we both watch Case leave. Once he’s out of earshot, Hannah turns to me and smiles. “I can’t believe that in all the years Case lived with your dad, we never met you. I understand that wasn’t an accident.”

My face warms from a rush of guilt and embarrassment, but Case is right. Now is not the time for secrets. I clear my throat and admit, “I’m sorry. We’d agreed to keep our relationship secret. My dad thought it was best for Case’s career. Case wanted to tell you. He knew you all would take one look at us together and know.”

Hannah’s brow tips into her hairline. “That must have been very difficult for you both. I can’t imagine keeping how I felt about someone I love secret. True love isn’t something to hide. I’m not sure I would have agreed with your father.”

“I’m not sure I should have,” I say and realize it’s the truth. I never did understand why Dad didn’t want me to be with the man I love. He loved Case like a son. Why had he made us live such a lie for so many years? I couldn’t even be the woman on Case’s arm at award ceremonies. If there was a chance pictures would be taken, my dad made sure he was always positioned between us. I guess I’ll never know.

“Daisy is simply adorable. I hope you can come back again before your vacation is over. I think Blake is planning on taking her fishing on the boat.”

The chuckle caught me by surprise. Daisy fishing in a princess dress I can’t even imagine. I glance over and see her sitting on Blake Murphy’s lap and laughing at something Bode is saying. I’m happy she’s fitting in so well. Ryan’s parents are the only grandparents she has and they aren’t the touchy-feely kind. It would be incredible for Daisy to have Hannah and Blake in her life. As much as I want to count on that, it’s not wise. “That would be nice. Daisy made herself right at home here. You’ve all been very kind to her.” Everyone has been kind to Daisy. I, however, have received a mildly polite reception.

A woman I was introduced to earlier as the mayor’s wife, Olivia, joins us. Her gaze moves to Daisy and then back to Hannah. “The resemblance is uncanny. Daisy could easily be your granddaughter, Hannah. I mean, if we didn’t know that wasn’t true. Right, Tori?”

Her seemingly benign observation and question rubs me the wrong way. Daisy doesn’t take after me or Ryan; she looks like Daisy. My spine stiffens and I force a smile to my face as I clearly state, “Ryan Busch is Daisy’s father.”

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