Read Online Worth the Risk by Anne Lange - Free Book Online Page B

beat the women at darts, claiming the ladies cheated when they happened to win at cards. They listened to favorite bands of the past, every now and then stopping to sing a particular chorus aloud together. They laughed at the pleasant memories and cried at a few sad ones. They retold stories of mischief and narrow escapes. They talked about past camping trips. Too bad time didn’t come with a rewind button.
    The more time she spent with Tanner, the more she ached for him. Old feelings floated to the surface, struggling for purchase. She fantasized of a future with him; however, that’s all it could be—a dream. Molly would tell him what happened and when the weekend ended, they would go their separate ways.
    She’d spent two years working at it, but with the help of a therapist she’d dealt with the loss of the baby, her parents, and her brother moving away. She’d done nothing to cause any of it, nor was there anything she could have done to prevent any of it. With the truth out, it was time to move on. Her feelings over the pregnancy and its potential long-term effects had inhibited her from pursuing long-term relationships. The shame and guilt of keeping something so important from the one person who had a right to know left her questioning her ability to commit to anybody.
    Molly prayed he would forgive her for not telling him the truth about the baby and the miscarriage. He had a right to be hurt and angry. She hoped after this, maybe they’d be friends. She couldn’t live in the same city and not be friends.
    Friends ? Who was she kidding?
     
    * * *
     
     
    Night folded down around the campground, tucking them into a protective, cozy haven, their tents nothing but dim shadows beyond the rim of light provided by the fire. The background music turned to softer, slower selections, and her friends began to pair off. She envied Sam and Olivia as they stepped beyond the ring of light and turned toward one another, their faces golden in the fire’s glow. They cuddled close, swaying to the music, murmuring soft words to each other.
    Tanner appeared at her side and bent down. His breath whispered against the shell of her ear. “Dance with me?”
    She hesitated, but nodded and rose to her feet. Taking her hand, he led her a few feet away from the others before pulling her into the shelter of his arms. She laid her head against his chest, closed her eyes and inhaled, storing his scent in her memory bank for later.
    He tucked her close. It may have been the drinks she’d consumed, the trip down memory lane, the music…or maybe it was the man. Whatever. She didn’t want it to end, not tonight, anyway. In two short days, she’d go back to the city. Alone. Why not take advantage of this small reprieve? She allowed a deep sigh to travel through her body as she rested against him.
    Not a word passed between them for a few songs. Molly found herself daydreaming about unrealistic possibilities when Tanner’s husky voice interrupted her. “Let’s take a walk.”
    Her mouth formed a no, but the word never slipped past her lips. If they went off to some secluded spot there was a high probability they would end up making love again. Mistaking her trembling for being cold, Tanner snuggled her closer and rubbed his hand down her back.
    She melted at the warmth flooding her. “I’ll just grab a jacket first.”
    When she turned toward the tent, she realized only Violet, Matt, and Brad remained around the fire, involved in a discussion on the upcoming municipal elections. The others, she presumed, had gone in search of their own private moments.
    Molly fetched her coat and returned to Tanner’s side. He had his own coat, and he’d thought to bring a blanket and a flashlight. Tucking the blanket under one arm, he reached for her hand with the other.
    She followed him through the trees to a path leading to the beach. They made the twenty-minute trek in silence, the flashlight bobbing along in front of them, illuminating the