“I won’t,” she promised and knew it was a kind of vow.
They looked into each other’s depths as they rocked and rocked and rocked until the passion between them shattered and healed all their remaining wounds in its wake.
Chapter 26
In the weeks that followed, Blake and Natalie renewed their bond. While they didn’t officially live together, she would text him when she was on her way home, and he and Touchdown were always waiting for her at the garage door to greet her. It was his favorite moment of the day, another piece weaving the fabric of their life together again.
They took runs together, watched TV together, talked about their days. And they made love, exploring each other’s bodies with a renewed joy akin to cherishing.
When her alarm went off, Blake would kiss her good morning so sweetly her eyes sometimes grew moist with unshed tears. Most days she barely made it to the office in time, which they both laughed about. Other times, he would make her coffee and bring it to her while she was putting on her makeup, which was partly an excuse for him to watch as she added to the beauty that took his breath away.
They continued to talk about the last two years and everything that had led to their divorce, but they didn’t yet talk about the future. And Blake was okay with that because she was coming back to herself. Sure, there were some extra lines around her eyes from the crying that continued to force its way up and out of her, like an unstoppable geyser that had no choice but to explode, but he was convinced it was healthy. He would hold her when the tears came, and together, they would stand in the midst of the storm until it passed.
They agreed to give their relationship a little more time before he started to accompany her to the family’s gatherings. When Blake had asked her if she’d be okay with him asking April to volunteer at the camp as “The Camp Mom,” she’d given him her A-OK. April had jumped on his offer with a delighted yes without even asking about his status with her daughter or the high school coaching job she’d mentioned to him weeks ago.
When the week of the camp finally arrived, Blake had mixed feelings. It would be the first week he spent apart from Natalie since their reconciliation. Sure, he could sneak back to see her after lights out, but he would miss spending his evenings with her. He told himself it wouldn’t hurt their burgeoning relationship.
Emmits Merriam’s practice field had been freshly cut the morning Blake arrived to make sure everything was ready. Touchdown barked as he opened the car door. The kids needed a mascot, Natalie had suggested, which was why they’d decided their dog would be on the sidelines during the day and around after practice to play with the kids. He was more than touched. It was like she had become his help-mate all over again.
His guys were flying in soon and would arrive in Dare Valley by early afternoon. The volunteer coaches from other similar flag football programs would join them at three o’clock. His assistant was staying in Dare Valley the whole week and would lead a short meeting with the rest of the volunteers later on. But no press. His assistant would take pictures and send them to his publicist.
Tomorrow the kids would arrive, kicking off the advent of camp. He was more than ready. He was stoked. As he tore off a tuft of turf and lifted it to his nose, inhaling the earthy smell, he could feel Adam with him. If his brother had been standing on the field with him, he would have tossed the grass at him, which would have resulted in a silly grass fight.
“Oh, Adam,” he whispered as his chest squeezed with grief. “I wish you were here.”
He rubbed at the tears in his eyes, and when he removed his hand, his whole body stilled. Natalie was walking across the field toward him, a soft smile on her face. The relief he felt was almost overwhelming.
“Hey,” he called out to her, his voice rough from emotion. “I thought you were going to work.”
Her hair was a mixture of brown, red, and gold in the morning sun. The Celtic knot tattoo on her ankle spoke of secrets, ones he wanted to know, but was still too afraid to ask.
“I was halfway there, and then I turned around and came this way.”
She held out her hands to him, which he took.
“It’s a big day for you. I wanted to be here before it gets crazy. I know how you like your pre-game rituals. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“I was…just missing Adam.”
She took him in her arms. “I thought you might be.”
This time he was the one who cried a bit as she held him tight, bearing his grief. His chest was lighter when he finally settled. “I know he’d be happy I’m doing this. I just miss him, dammit.” He wanted his brother to be here. He didn’t want to be doing something in his memory.
“He would be happy,” she said, kissing his jaw. “I brought you something.”
When she pressed away to rummage through her tan leather purse, he took some deep cleansing breaths.