Page 35 of A Heart to Find
A tiny bubble of joy welled up inside her, and before she could contain it, the betraying emotion spread.
She had to be honest with herself. Trusting this process was important to her. She wanted to believe in the merits of this particular matchmaking. She wanted to trust Jared. She wanted this thing to work.
She wanted to believe her grandmother had led her here. To follow in her own footsteps of lifelong love.
“That’s much better. Your muscles are melting into the massage.”
“That’s a testimony to your great skill,” Keira complimented.
What she didn’t say was that it was also a testimony to making up her own mind to let go of the self-protection—at least a little. Not enough to get her heart broken again, but enough to allow herself to enjoy her time on the island with Jared, even if it couldn’t end with a relationship.
She’d be better prepared for the next go-round. No more emotional scarring. Maybe they could even be friends.
Once the massages were done, Megan asked if Keira would feel well enough to do something low impact like swimming.
“I’d love that. Honestly, with the ibuprofen and the icing of my leg, it’s feeling a lot better already.”
“That’s awesome, Keir! So no volleyball, but let’s go swimming before lunch. Sound good?”
Keira shrugged. “As long as it’s okay with everyone else.”
She glanced over at Jared, who sat in silence with Matt while they waited.
“I guess we should include them in the planning.”
“Why start now?” Jared joked while Matt smiled broadly and winked.
Megan shot a teasing glance and a shrug in Keira’s direction. “All right. I guess that means we’re on! Meet you there in fifteen?”
Jared didn’t seem overjoyed at the prospect, but he maintained his jovial attitude while he helped her to her dressing area so she could change. He told her he’d be back to get her after going to his room for his swimsuit, and he was back in less than ten minutes.
Frolicking in the pool for the afternoon was exactly what Keira needed to boost her spirits. The water healed in ways nothing else could. Jared had helped her hobble down to the pool area, insisting they take it slow and watching her closely to make sure she used the crutches the resort had provided for moments when she wanted independence, though he seemed to prefer it when she leaned on him for support. She could almost put full pressure on her leg in a standing position, so she knew she’d be fully healed soon and able to resume normal activity. But getting out of the room and enjoying Jared’s company in such a playful place did wonders for her spirit.
And even though she wanted to play investigative reporter and ask him all the things her mind burned to know, she resisted the temptation. She’d let things flow naturally. Have faith.
Hoping and praying all the while that he wouldn’t let her down again. She couldn’t afford another scar from him on her already battered heart.
Because long after their relationship came to its natural conclusion and she looked forward to kindling a new relationship with her meant-to-be, her heart would bear the scar. And she knew all too well what a Jared-sized scar felt like when it was emblazoned on her broken heart.
Chapter 8
The next few days were a whirlwind of calm contentedness and quiet conversation. No more talk about the past—they hadn’t had the opportunity with all the social interaction. But lots of stolen glances and flirty exchanges. And after getting clearance from the nurse on staff, Jared patiently and gently guided her around the hotel, only using the crutches off and on in the beginning. She found that as long as she took her ibuprofen preventatively, the soreness was almost non-existent. This morning, she finally didn’t feel the need to take anything.
Though their schedules had been jam-packed with all the pre-planned goodies, Keira had still somehow felt like it was just her and Jared in some kind of weird snowglobe of artificial delight.
Only it hadn’t felt artificial.
She knew he didn’t love being around all of the people all of the time, but that was the nature of the matchmaking beast. She kept thinking they’d have time to sneak away for some quiet time to finish the conversation they’d started in her room the other day. Keira had questions she needed answers to. For closure.
But yesterday he started acting strange. Polite and sweet, but sort of distant.
Stress gnawed at her belly. The buzz around the island focused on nothing but the upcoming Winter Wonderland formal dance. In her preparations for this event, Keira had lovingly packed a dress she had purchased for what she had hoped would be a magical time with her matched soul mate.
How could she have anticipated this cruel twist of fate?
Jared hadn’t brought up details for the dance, so maybe he would prefer to skip it. She dropped plenty of hints about her body feeling well enough to dance the night away, but he didn’t pick up a single one.
She didn’t want to make a big thing of it. But the idea of going to a formal event with him triggered feelings that were best left in the past, anyway.
