Page 65 of Someone Like You
“No!” His mom sounded heartsick. “I was praying that wouldn’t happen, Connor.”
His dad groaned. “I’m sorry, Son. Really.”
“Better now than later.” Connor meant the words. “I’ll be home tonight.” He told them he loved them and he thanked them for praying.
Then he focused his eyes on the distant road. His hurt would stay a long time, for sure. He would have to pray a lot … and spend hours talking it out with his family and friends. It might take a year or two, but time would heal. And the coming season would give him something else.
A way to let go of Maddie West.
The journey wouldn’t be easy. But wherever it took him, there were better days ahead. Maddie was right. Somewhere out there was a girl who wouldn’t have doubts about being his wife. She would be over the moon. And when he met her, he would look back on this time and smile. Because he and Maddie had done the right thing. Today was simply part of wherever he was headed.
Now it was just a matter of getting there.
22
Dawson could feel Maddie pulling away. He sat on his front porch waiting for her that Sunday afternoon, letting their time together play over again in his mind. Each moment, each conversation.
The air was cooler today, clouds thick across the Portland sky. The water would be cold, but Dawson didn’t care. Maddie wouldn’t care either. This might be their last time out on the river.
He looked to the overcast sky and he could see Maddie again, telling him about Connor and the broken engagement. Weeks had passed since Connor’s visit to Portland, since he flew in for a few hours so Maddie could end things with him. At first Dawson had wondered if maybe that would free Maddie’s heart for what was right in front of her.
The attraction and chemistry between them, that neither could deny.
Instead, she still hadn’t talked about her feelings for him, and he hadn’t said anything about his attraction to her. Rather, they had spent the days having the most beautiful time. They jet-skied on the weekends and hiked in the afternoons. She hadn’t missed a Sunday attending church with him and his father.
But all that was coming to an end. The transplant wastomorrow and then, after a few days in the hospital, Maddie would have to make a choice. If Dawson had his way, she would choose Indiana and the family waiting for her back home. Leaving would be the right thing.
Even if it killed him to see her go.
A breeze moved through the trees and brushed over Dawson. He stared down the riverfront road, looking for her. Maddie was using London’s old car—something that had taken Dawson some getting used to. The pretty girl at the wheel of London’s old car still had London’s cheekbones and smile. But that wasn’t a problem now.
He wasn’t looking for similarities to London, anymore. He wanted to see Maddie. Only her.
A few minutes later she drove up. Dawson couldn’t take his eyes off her, the swing of her hair, the way her face lit up when she saw him. Her eyes held his as she stepped out of the car. “Hi.” She mouthed the word.
Again, he could see it in her face. She was leaving, going back home. Her choice was all but made and he had helped her make it.
He stood and waited for her to come to him. Then he slid his arms around her, and she did the same. “You’re going home.” He eased back and searched her face. “Right?”
“I’m still not sure.” She sighed and rested her forehead on his chest. “I’m asking God to make it clear.”
“Okay.” If he didn’t take her to the Jet Skis, he’d kiss her and beg her to stay. “Let’s go for a ride. Maybe it’ll be more clear in an hour.”
A smile filled her face. “You’re so good for me, Dawson.”
She was so good for him, too, but he didn’t say so. Anyhint or promise of a relationship between them was only going to make things more difficult. He had to think of Maddie, not himself. So today he would try to convince her again. Her life would only be complete if she went home and made peace with the people she loved.
They got into their wet suits and in no time they were flying up and down the river. But like their first time on the water, Dawson wanted to take her to the private island. One more time. Two Jet Skis would be better, because that would mean she wasn’t holding on to him, her body up against his.
But since this might be their last time, Dawson couldn’t help himself. He motioned for her to return to his dock, and this time Maddie didn’t have to ask. She understood. And after she had tied up her Jet Ski, she slid into place on his. Then in a way that took his breath, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her head against his back.
As they set out, Dawson fixed his eyes on the bridge in the distance.She’s everything I’ve ever dreamed about, Lord … I know she belongs back home, but what about this? What about us?
There was no clear answer, no response. Just the feeling of her warmth mixing with his. She whispered near his ear. “Go slow.”
And so he did. After ten minutes on the river he pulled the machine up onto the sand again. The sun had come through and it warmed the lonely island sand. There were no words as they both unzipped their wet suits halfway. Underneath, they wore T-shirts and shorts, Dawson’s idea. Bathing suits wouldn’t help anything.
Dawson didn’t say a word as he found an area on thebeach. She took the spot right beside him and leaned her head against his chest.
