Page 10 of Chance

He thought about that, and then he laughed for real. It sounded so good. “Yeah, one of us would buy Hubba Bubba and we’d bring it to class and share with each other.”

She grinned, thinking of the memory. “But by the end, you would always hog the last piece, and then when I complained, you would laugh and give me half of what was in your mouth.”

“And you would take it.”

“Those were different days.”

He closed his eyes for a second. “Yes, they were. Very different days.”

Neither of them spoke for several minutes. It wasn’t an awkward silence, it was like they were trying to process all the years that had passed since then. But they couldn’t, and they were unsure of each other.

Kelly stood and picked up her backpack, putting it back on. “Well, it was nice seeing you. I actually have to go run an errand.”

“Oh, you think you can bump into me in this town and then run off like this? No. You’re not just leaving me. You tell me what’s going on.”

She winced and shook her head. “I don’t have to tell you anything.” She started walking away from him, down the street toward where Google had said the clinic was. “Plus, you told me nothing as well.”

He hurried to step in her path, stopping her. “Kel, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

She lifted her brows. “Chance Cross, if you don’t answer me first, then you won’t get answers out of me.”

Chapter 7

Chance stared at this beautiful woman, an older, more mature version of the girl he’d once loved. He hated that she was forcing answers from him, but he could play along if it meant getting more of her story. “Uh, I’m here on vacation. Just taking in the sights.”

She looked doubtful. “In Wilmington?”

“I was going to this church to see what’s in it. It’s historical.”

“And what were you doing at the shoals today?”

“What were you doing?”

She sighed and then grabbed her water bottle and took a drink. “As you know, I’m an artist. I’ve been wanting to create art around this area. So when people told me there were hieroglyphs in those caves, I thought it would be good to take a look at them and possibly create pieces about them.”

Finally, she was telling the truth. But it led to more questions. “Why around here? Why in South Port last night? Is that where Brian is?”

She let out an annoyed breath. “We’re not together, remember? We’re done. And I don’t know why I’m telling you this, because it doesn’t matter, but I’m actually going to be living in South Port. I rented a little place on the pier for my gallery. I want to sell unique pieces of art, some of mine and some others.”

“What? You’re moving to South Port?” All he could think about was the trip they’d taken when they were twelve.

She nodded. “Already have. I’m sure you know that I sold the ranch. I’m not a ranch girl. Grandma left it to me, but I didn’t know what to do with it.”

Chance couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Yeah. I mean, I knew you sold. We actually thought about buying it, but at the time, we were cash poor. Though I don’t think anyone has even moved into it.” He laughed. “I cannot believe you are settling in South Port. That trip with your grandparents …”

She hesitated, then grinned at him. “That was a fun trip. Grandma and Grandpa did so much to make sure we had fun.”

So many memories washed over him. “Hey, I bet I’m still better at skipping rocks than you.”

She laughed, and he loved the sound. It made her seem younger. “No, I beat you all the time.”

“You did then, but you wouldn’t now. I’ve practiced.”

“Wait, you’ve practiced all these years?” She giggled, much to his surprise. “Just to make sure that if we ever met again, you could beat me?”

“That’s exactly right. I’ve had serious practice at the river every morning. Two hours. I’ve made all my brothers take me on just to make sure if there was ever a time I met you again, I would beat you at rock skipping.”

She giggled harder. “Stop.”

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