Journey To Forever. Carol Steward

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      “It’s been almost a year,” Jared reminded him. “Besides, you-know-who’s not even invited.” Colin had tried for months to convince himself that just because she’d been a friend of Jared and Sandra’s, it didn’t mean all of their friends were the same.

      “I certainly hope not,” Colin said, trying not to sound bitter. “She’s moved to where the ‘real’ money is.”

      “Oh,” Jared said. “Then there’s nothing to stop you from coming. You’re not my only single friend, and there aren’t just single women coming, either.”

      Colin’s eyes opened wide and he looked at Jared. “I can find my own dates when I’m ready. Thanks anyway.”

      “That came out all wrong. I meant we have married couples coming, too. Happily married. And a few singles. The purpose of our barbecue is not to set you up, okay?”

      Colin shook his head. “You can stop while you’re ahead. I’m working that day, but thanks for the invitation.” After a few minutes, Jared gave up and left Colin alone to battle his own issues.

      Across the room Colin noticed another tortured athlete taking revenge on the equipment. He glanced over to make sure Jared wasn’t keeping too close a tab on him before taking another look at the woman. His friends meant well, but he simply wasn’t ready to date again. Especially not if it meant being with another socialite like Bev.

      Jared left the room, and Colin again admired the woman, getting the feeling that he had met her before. The very fact that she was here, at the most reasonably priced health club in LoDo, told him one thing about her, she appreciated a bargain. Her name-brand sweats and shoes looked soft from heavy use. He considered her choice of modest, well-worn sweats and T-shirt, which impressed him a lot more than the skintight leggings and equally revealing athletic tank tops many women wore. Obviously she didn’t care what anyone thought. Her attention was focused on the view as her ponytail bounced in rhythm with the movement of her feet. A baseball cap hid her eyes.

      He recalled his mother’s disapproval of his usual choice in women, Bev in particular. Too thin, too fussy and only after his money. He guessed Mom’s instincts had been right after all.

      Colin glanced at the woman again. She’d mastered the orbital machine, the same one that had sent him flying like an uncoordinated geek the first and last time he’d tried it. She seemed to be concentrating on whatever was playing on her headphones instead of trying to impress anyone else. Why did she look so familiar?

      The arrival of a few more customers stole his attention, saving him from making a fool of himself right here in front of Jared, who paused briefly to greet his customers then made a beeline to Colin.

      “You’ve been riding for nearly ninety minutes. No need to overdo it the first day back.” Jared said. “And since you’ve officially asked me to take care of you, check your pulse and take ten minutes to stretch before you leave.”

      Colin touched his index finger to his carotid artery and leaned forward to see the clock, conveniently located near the woman who had motivated him to ride half an hour longer than he’d planned, hoping for an opportunity to introduce himself.

      Unfortunately, everyone in the gym pretty much kept to themselves. This was not the “in” place to meet available singles. Of course, in his college days, he hadn’t needed to find a place to meet girls. They’d found him. He had been the only baseball player in the state to make it to the major leagues.

      “Right on target,” Colin said a few minutes later as he stretched. “I haven’t turned into a couch potato just because I haven’t been here, you know.”

      “Obviously not, or you’d be in real trouble about now. Hope to see you more often with your new project in mind. Make sure you let me know the dates so Sandra and I can put it on our calendars.”

      “I’ll see you tomorrow. I should be able to give you more details then.”

      He showered, stopping to say goodbye to Jared on his way out, half wishing for another chance to run into the blonde, but she was long gone. “Think about the barbecue.”

      “I’ll see what I can do.” Colin didn’t feel especially festive lately, and besides, the last thing he needed right now was the distraction of a woman.

      Chapter Four

      Colin’s day had been dampened by another article in the morning Gazette about the group of home owners planning to fight the sale of property for the proposed shelter. Ever since Ellis made the public announcement, the editor had received a barrage of letters arguing for and against it. When Colin saw protesters marching outside the station, he felt as if monsoon season had broken loose over Denver. Mr. Chapman had to be pleased with the results of his plan so far. Papers were selling like never before.

      After training for two months straight to get ready for the event, Colin would hate to see the project fall apart. He leaned heavily on Paul’s advice to the Philippians—“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Keep the faith. God started this project, He’ll see it through to the finish.

      Despite the discouragement, Colin hoped Jared and Sandra’s Labor Day party would cheer him up. He walked up the steps and rang the doorbell, not really expecting anyone to answer. With a lush yard like Jared and Sandra’s, there was no need to stay inside. Laughter spilled through the seams of the fence and Colin made his way around the house to the trellised gate. Their black Labrador Lizzy greeted Colin with her fierce bark. When Colin said hello, the dog gave him an embarrassed look and wagged her tail in welcome.

      “Colin! I was afraid you were going to stand us up again,” Sandra exclaimed, glancing at her watch. “Better late than never. The good news is there’s plenty of food left, the baseball game is almost over, and you didn’t miss the Rockies’ fireworks display.”

      Heads turned and friends waved. He felt like a show-boater with Lizzy’s bark and Sandra’s booming voice announcing his late arrival. “Thanks. Looks like you’ve been busy.”

      “Can I fix you a plate?” Sandra was a hostess extraordinaire, a disgrace to the feminist movement, according to Colin’s sister. The Hayes’s barbecues were traditionally standing room only. Tonight was no exception.

      “Don’t worry about me, I’ll make my way to the buffet table in a while.”

      Jared arrived with a tall glass of lemonade and yelled, “Forty-five minutes until showtime!”

      Colin found an empty chair in a dark corner of the yard and sank into its cushions, fearful that he’d fall asleep and miss the fireworks display altogether. This last week he’d been pushing twenty miles a day. “Looks like you and Sandra outdid yourselves as usual.”

      “Yeah, too bad you…” Colin didn’t hear another word Jared said. His attention fell on the blonde from the gym and he realized immediately where they’d met. With her scruffy workout clothes and baseball cap she had looked nothing like she had at the board meeting.

      Jared followed Colin’s gaze. “I didn’t think you were interested in dating again.”

      “I’m not.” Colin shrugged and shook his head. “I’m just surprised to see her here. Did you invite all of your patrons?”

      Jared laughed. СКАЧАТЬ