Running Towards Love (10 page)

When they arrived at the cemetery, Rebekah and her family were seated in front of the coffin. The rain had finally stopped, and normally, the covering that stood above them protected the family from the intense heat of the Texas sun. Today, it simply formed a wind tunnel that allowed the frigid January air to whip through her despite the long coat she kept wrapped around her body.

She could barely listen to the words that the minister chose to use; it was simply just too difficult to focus. Yet, when she found her eyes wandering over the other headstones in the cemetery, she couldn’t help but wonder how many other families had been torn apart. How many other young people were laid to rest too early in this place? She knew of at least one other, but that was just one of many. Death seemed so unfair at times. How was she supposed to go on with the rest of her life when her husband and best friend was no longer there with her?

Rebekah knew that she wouldn’t be able to watch them lower the casket into the ground; that would just be too much. So, as soon as the minister was over, she rose from her chair, shaking the hands of many of the people who were there to pay their respects as she made her way back towards the car.

Kate watched her go, her arms clutching the coat around her small frame. Her heart broke for her friend and as she glanced at her own husband, she knew that she couldn’t truly empathize with Rebekah; a part of her heart was lying in that casket, about to be placed in the ground. She and John had a future together, and while Rebekah still had her whole life in front of her, Kate knew her friend well enough to know that she would feel as if her life were over.

Slowly, Rebekah made her way back to the car, purposely avoiding turning her head and looking back. Looking back was too painful, looking back served no purpose. She knew many around her believed that she had her whole life in front of her, but her heart was being buried. Without her heart, Rebekah no longer saw any real reason to go on.

Chapter 1

Rebekah Thomas was tired. She loved her job, but it had been a long few years, though most would not know it by looking at her. The twenty-six year old woman may have carried the weight of the world on her shoulders for quite some time, but physically, she hid it well. A smile graced her face as her long, golden hair flowed past her shoulders with a healthy gleam. The only indication of the amount of emotional pain she was in resided in her eyes. Normally, her sapphire blue eyes sparkled with happiness and energy. Lately, they were a darker shade of blue, which only those she was close to understood as the mask of her pain.

Her exhaustion was why she had looked forward to this annual Government conference. As a middle school U.S. History teacher, she usually relished the chance to meet with other teachers from around the nation; however, this year it also gave her a break from her life, from her memories. Plus, she loved New York City; it was an amazing place. Living in South Texas was about as different from New York as you could get, and she needed something different. She loved coming here. Sometimes, Rebekah could not get enough of New York. Everywhere she turned, people were bustling around her. Lights constantly flashed overhead and the smells were enough to drown one’s senses. It was so hard to describe, a mixture of car exhaust, hot dogs, roasted nuts, and excitement all around her; and today, Rebekah could definitely smell the excitement.

Her weekend had been going well; the Civic Education Council went all out for this annual conference. They paid for her to have a substitute teacher while she was away, paid for her airfare, her hotel, at an amazingly wonderful location, and paid for her meals. There were 100 teachers at the meeting, two from each state. This was a chance for them to get together and share ideas on things that were working well in each other’s classes and states. It was also a chance to talk about the new programs to promote civic education among young adults in America.

The best part of the conference though was after the meetings. They were finished around three o’clock in the afternoon each day, so there was always time for exploring the city, and this afternoon was no exception. She was with four other teachers, enjoying the atmosphere of Fifth Avenue. Standing on the sidewalk, Rebekah was doing more window-shopping than actual shopping because the more she walked the street, the more lost in her thoughts she became. Before she knew it, her mind betrayed her, and she regressed into thoughts of her past.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she heard someone say behind her. Turning, she found Kate Sanders, her best friend.

“Hey, Kate,” Rebekah whispered, trying to shake any negative thoughts from her mind.

“Bekah, we can go back if you want to.”

“No. I need to be out and about for a while. I am just tired.”

“That’s understandable. You’ve had a rough couple of years.”

“I have, but what’s even more difficult now is trying to move on. Something inside tells me it might be time, but I’m so afraid.”

“If anyone knows the importance of living your life to the fullest, it’s you, Bekah,” Kate replied. Part of her wished there was something she could do for her friend, but the intelligent part of her brain knew this was Rebekah’s battle to fight. Rebekah had to come to terms with her past on her own time, in her own way.

“I know, Kate. I know I have to live my life. I know I have to let go of the past. I just don’t know if I’m ready. Does that make sense?”

“Perfect. All I know is that when the time is right, you will know it. Until then, don’t worry about moving on, and just take the time to enjoy your life.”

Rebekah reached forward and drew her friend into a hug. It was times like this that made her so thankful she had Kate in her life when she lost everything. She was one of the few people Rebekah knew she could always count on. “I think I can do that. Now, how about we get the others from this store so we can continue?”

They tapped on the window and drew the attention of their friends. Each of the women was from different areas around the nation, yet they always enjoyed shopping Fifth Avenue together every year.  Grabbing their bags, the group began to make their way out onto the bustling sidewalk.

That is when they saw him.

Coming out of the store ahead of them was Jason Taylor. The man was undeniably gorgeous, and just about every woman in America wanted him. Standing almost six feet tall, his dark blonde cropped hair ended neatly at the base of his head, showing off the strong lines of the neck that curved into his broad shoulders. His body signified a regular workout, and it was evident through his narrow waist and his lean legs. His face was thin with chiseled features and he had a smile that had a way of melting almost anyone’s heart. More amazing than his smile though were his crystal blue eyes, which most women in America had spent hours gazing into while he was on-screen. He had been acting in Soap Operas since he was five years old, and just recently, at the age of thirty, he had broken into his first blockbuster movie role.

For a second, it was as if time froze, as all the women around him stopped in their tracks, and an exciting buzz surrounded them. Rebekah heard a few screams, and they made her cringe; she hated it when people did that. But, in typical star fashion, Jason turned to face the women, flashed a smile and waved his hand. In almost an instant, people were swarming around him, asking for an autograph. The teachers with Rebekah turned towards her. “Go ahead,” she said laughing. “I’m staying right here.”

She watched as the mob engulfed the man. It seemed almost as if he had no room to breathe. Women were encircling him from all sides so no matter which direction he turned someone was there. Without missing a beat, he reached from one woman to the next, signing their receipts or any other paper they could find, and taking pictures with them. Never once did he lose focus of the women around him until he glanced down the street. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes devoured the form of the beautiful woman he saw. Laughter danced across her face, as she seemed to enjoy watching the spectacle he had created; yet she never made a move closer towards him. However, before he could lose himself in his thoughts surrounding her, a woman much closer to him blocked his view and forced him back to the task at hand. If he ever wanted to get away this afternoon, he knew he would have to finish with all these fans.

Ten minutes later, Jason prepared to leave. Most of the women had dispersed, and he was beginning to have a moment of fresh air. He glanced up, noticing for the second time that afternoon, the gorgeous blonde standing in front of the other store. Her long, straight, golden hair hung past her shoulders, gracing her back with soft curls at the edges. Although she was wrapped in a coat to block the frigid February air, he could still detect her small, feminine form. But, what grabbed his attention the most was her addictive smile; it seemed to light up the world around her. He could not tear his eyes away. She was simple, yet elegant, but he was not sure what to think of her. She was beautiful, but she never once approached him. Then he noticed the diamond ring glistening on her left finger. ‘Oh well,’ he thought to himself as he turned to walk away.

He had not even realized he had dropped one of his packages, until he felt a hand on his shoulder a moment later. Turning, he inhaled sharply as the blonde beauty was standing right in front of him. He was right, her smile was addictive, but even more so when he was able to gaze into her blue eyes. The look in her eyes drew her to him and piqued his curiosity.

“I’m sorry,” she said in a voice that sounded like heaven to him. “You dropped this,” she continued, handing him the package. “Someone would probably be very upset if you came home without it.”

“Uh, thanks,” he replied, finally finding his voice, getting embarrassed when he realized it was the Victoria’s Secret bag.

She smiled as he took the package and extended her hand. “I’m Rebekah,” she said simply.

He reached to shake her hand, surprised when he felt a jolt go through his arm as his hand touched hers and he relished in the feel of her soft skin against his. Jason was enjoying this. It was not often that he had a beautiful woman in front of him who was not screaming or asking for an autograph. “Jason,” he replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you; I just didn’t think you had noticed you dropped the package.” She turned to leave, but stopped when she heard his voice.

“Look, there’s a Starbucks right down the street. Let me buy you a cup of coffee to say thanks.”

She turned again to face him, looking into his eyes. She could not believe she was standing in New York City, actually contemplating going somewhere with this stranger. The only thing she knew about him was what was reported in magazines and the TV so basically, she knew nothing real. But, even with all that, she somehow felt drawn to go with him. She glanced behind her to the group that was waiting for her. “Okay, just let me tell them to go on without me.”

Jason watched her as she turned and walked away and he was surprised with himself as to how strong of a pull he was feeling towards her. He was not half as surprised as Rebekah was though, or the women she was with.

“He asked me to have coffee with him,” Rebekah explained when she returned to her friends.

“Well, don’t you have all the luck?” One of them replied sarcastically, with a smile plastered on her face.

“Go. Have a good time,” another encouraged.

But, as it always was with them, it was Kate that Rebekah turned to for advice. “I feel like I’m betraying him,” she almost whispered.

“Bekah,” her friend practically scolded her. “You are not betraying him; you’re getting a cup of coffee.” Kate drew her friend into a quick hug, and then playfully pushed her away. “Go,” she ordered. “It’s not every day that a famous movie star asks you out.”

“I’ll see you back at the hotel later,” Rebekah replied as she smiled the first genuine smile Kate had seen in a couple of years as she turned and headed back to where she had left him.

A second later, she returned to his side. She still could not believe she was doing this; it was so unlike her and even the teachers with her were surprised, because some of them had known her for years.

“Ready?” he asked.

“I think so,” she replied, not really prepared for where this one cup of coffee would lead her.