Promises to Keep Nan Rossiter (books for 7th graders .txt) 📖

“Just you,” she teased, pulling him away.

They walked up an old bridle path to the top of the hill and looked back at the lights of the fair. They could hear the escalating and sliding music of the games, the screams and laughter of people on rides, the announcer at the tractor pull—calling the names of the contestants and measurements of their draws—and they could hear the country band on stage covering an old Patsy Cline song. The sky above them sparkled with stars, while the fair below sparkled with dazzling colors, shooting and spiraling everywhere.

“It’s so beautiful,” River murmured. “I wish summer would never end,” she added, and then slid a half pint of Jack Daniel’s out of the back pocket of her tight shorts, took a sip, and ran her tongue seductively around the top of the bottle.

“What are you trying to do to me, girl?” Gage asked, laughing as he pulled her close.

“What do you think I’m trying to do to you?” she murmured, handing him the bottle.

Gage took a long swig, felt the surge of heat burn his throat, and then searched her eyes intently as she reached down, unzipped his jeans, and slid her hands inside. He closed his eyes, feeling the blood surging to his groin. “What do you want?” he whispered.

“You,” she said softly, pushing his jeans down and freeing his rock-hard erection.

He barely breathed as she knelt in front of him. “Damn,” he whispered, running his fingers through her hair, and then just when he didn’t think he could last another second, she slid her lips away.

“Watch,” she commanded, and he’d opened his eyes and watched her slide down her shorts.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, trying to think clearly, “because I don’t have any protec—”

She put her finger on his lips. “Shhh . . .”

Gage swallowed, unable to form a coherent thought as he lay on the grass beside her, kissing her lips hungrily, exploring her body, and feeling her fingers stroking him where her lips had just been, and then in one easy motion, she slid on top of him.

One week later, on a Sunday night after youth group, Gage had been looking for her behind the parsonage when he’d heard whispering and giggling. He’d quickly stepped into the shadows, and in the fading light, saw her leaning against the barn, her blouse unbuttoned, kissing Jimmy Thompson. He’d stared in disbelief, and then backed away, clenching his jaw and his fists.

Now, as he swirled his whiskey, he realized he still hadn’t put it completely behind him. Even though it was a long time ago, he’d never forgotten the way it had made him feel. He’d been just a kid, and she’d broken his heart. Forever after, he’d been wary of relationships . . . of falling in love. And when he did go out with other women, the memory of that night always seemed to cast a shadow over any possibility of a future. It was because of this, that none of his relationships had lasted. Finally, he’d resigned himself to a lifetime of being single . . . that is, until he met Maeve. Maeve’s kind smile and stunning blue-green eyes had stopped him in his tracks. She had never pressured him about anything—even when he was admittedly evasive about his family—and she always gave him space when he needed it. She laughed at his dumb jokes and she loved to tease him, but always in a friendly way. She was kind to everyone she met, especially her newly adopted niece and the old coots at the senior home where she worked. She was genuine and honest and had a strong faith in God. And aside from snoring occasionally, he thought with a smile, she was pretty perfect. He was even thinking about asking her to marry him. If there was any woman on earth he’d love to spend his life with, it was Maeve. Of course, I’ll have to talk to her parents first!

He took another sip, and his thoughts turned to his own family. Over the years, he’d managed to stop by and see them a few times—always when he knew his dad would be away—but he still missed them . . . especially his grandfather, Dutch. He so badly wanted them to meet Maeve, and he knew she wanted to meet them. He’d loved introducing her to Chase, and he especially wanted his mom to meet her . . . but he didn’t care if he ever saw his father again. He could just see the I-told-you-so look on his face, and he knew he would make a comment about working construction, pointing out that it was manual labor just like working on a farm. Yeah, there was no way he was ever going to give him the satisfaction.

He lifted the tumbler to his lips and realized it was almost empty. Damn, that went down easy. . . . No wonder buried emotions are resurfacing and old stream-of-conscious memories are running rampant through my mind. He thought of the letter his mom had sent . . . the one in the blue envelope . . . the one he’d almost thrown away . . . and then the words his brother had said earlier that night echoed in his head: Dad’s not doing well, Gage. You should go see him.

Gage threw back the last of his drink and shook his head. “Yeah . . . tha’s not happenin’,” he slurred bitterly.

20

“WANT ME TO GO WITH YOU?” ALI ASKED, AS MASON HURRIED TO HIS CAR.

“No, you should stay here and have fun. Celebrate with everyone else.”

“Mason,” she said, “there’s no way I’m going to have fun if you’re not here. Especially if . . .” She didn’t know how to finish her sentence, so she stopped. “I’m going with you,” she said with conviction, following him to his car and opening the passenger door.

Mason blinked back tears as he pulled out of the parking lot.

“Slow down,” Ali implored, as she texted her mom. She stared at the screen, waiting for her to reply, but there was no sign that her mom was