“You’re crazy, David,” she said while she treaded water. She swung out and tried to make it to the safe side of the pool, but he grabbed her from behind and dunked her, and that was the start of war. She splashed in retaliation, trying to dunk him, but he was too fast.
Exhaustion made her give up the game after a few minutes.
“David, let me get out. I’m going to drown.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll revive you. I know how. I teach swimming, remember?”
She remembered all right. She also remembered how he had kissed Ann. “Like you revived Ann the other night?” she muttered softly enough that she was sure David hadn’t heard.
“Why are you frowning?” he asked as he pulled her out of the pool.
“I was just thinking that we’re going to ruin your car with our wet clothes. Maybe we should drip-dry first.”
“Don’t have time,” he answered. “I have an appointment with—”
“Never mind,” she interrupted, instinctively knowing who the appointment was with. “Let’s get my Grandpa so you won’t be late for your date.”
He didn’t deny that he had a date, and that made her sure she was right! She tried to act very calm and collected, keeping her face shielded from David while she wrung out the bottom of her tank top.
They walked in silence to the car, both barefoot, and he surprised her by taking her hand in his with Grandpa walking right beside them. She didn’t pull her hand away. But she was good and confused! David kept acting as if he liked her, yet he continued to date Ann. It didn’t make sense.
Chapter 19
The evening before the race, her grandfather acted very mysterious, but it wasn’t until Summer said good night and started for bed that he called her aside and handed her a package.
She sat down on the sofa and allowed Michael to help her unwrap the plaid paper. Everyone laughed when Michael stuck the bow on his forehead, and Summer was able to grab the box and open it.
“Oh!” she cried out, drawing a smile of pleasure from her grandfather.
“Let’s have a look,” her mother insisted. Summer was happy to oblige. She pulled the bright emerald-green tank top and shorts from the box and held them up for everyone to see. She then stood up and held the top against her. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “The shorts, too, Grandpa.”
“Look at the message,” her father suggested.
At Summer’s blank expression, her mother added, “The printing on the top of the shirt, honey.”
Summer held it away from her and immediately saw the small design in white. The impish-looking leprechaun seemed to be winking right at her, and she laughed in reaction. “He’s adorable,” she told her grandfather.
“Now look at the back of the shirt,” her father instructed.
She quickly turned it around, and another gasp of pleasure escaped her when she read the words. In small delicate letters were the two words, “Summer’s Challenge.” She was too overwhelmed to speak. Tears filled her eyes, and she could only smile and nod her approval.
“What do you think of the color?” her mother asked.
“It’s beautiful and very optimistic,” Summer said. “I love it.”
“The color of Dublin’s grass,” her grandfather explained. Turning to Summer, he said, “Now, remember, it’s not important if you win or lose. What counts is the challenge. You’ve not backed away, girl. You’re striving.”
“Striving?” her mother repeated.
“Summer,” her grandfather said, “explain to your parents what we’re talking about.”
“Well, Mom and Dad,” she said, suddenly quite embarrassed, “I’m striving…for excellence. Excellence inside me. That’s the real challenge…not the race.”
Her parents seemed to understand, and Summer noticed the special look that passed between them. She smiled again and went to her grandfather. “Thank you, Grandpa,” she said. She hugged him and whispered in his ear, “For everything, but mostly for helping me like me.”
Her grandfather’s eyes filled with tears, and he had to blow his nose twice before he could turn back to her.
“’Tis a pleasure, girl. A pleasure.”
“It’s a glorious day, Summer, and time for you to get up.” Summer heard her grandfather’s voice, booming with cheer. She felt slightly nauseated, but blamed that on her excitement as she bounced out of bed and hurried to look out the window. It was just as the weatherman and her grandfather had predicted, sunny and clear, without a grumpy cloud in sight. Perfect, she thought, a perfect day for running! Maybe even winning. “I don’t think I can eat anything,” she admitted to her mother at the breakfast table.
“Just nerves, dear. But the race isn’t for three more hours, and you have to have something in your stomach. Try some toast.”
Rather than argue, she obeyed, forcing a slice of the cardboard-tasting bread down. It did help to calm her stomach, but Michael’s chatter caused the beginnings of a fierce headache. She decided to keep silent about her aches and pains, for she knew that if she complained too much, her mother might decide that she wasn’t up to running. She lounged around in her robe until it was finally time to get ready. She took an emergency phone call from Regina and listened with extreme patience while her friend described two outfits.
“Wear the yellow,” Summer decided when she could get a word in. “You look great in yellow now that you have a tan.”
She hung up the phone and went back upstairs. She showered and fixed her hair, and then dressed for the race. A twirl in front of the mirror made Summer’s pounding headache fade, and two aspirins finished the deed.
“Better get started on your warm-ups,” her grandfather said, after telling her how pretty she looked.
Everyone—her mother and father, Michael and Grandpa—was waiting for her by the basement steps. Summer laughed at the expectant looks they all wore and felt very flattered that she had such an enthusiastic audience while she limbered up.
After Grandpa put her through the paces, everyone piled into her father’s station wagon.
By the time they reached the park, Summer’s stomach was full of butterflies. She hurried over to the sign-up table and got her number. Regina and Luke found her there, and Regina pinned the tag on Summer’s shirt.
“Do you believe this crowd? Mr. Logan says there are over a hundred entered in both the men’s and women’s divisions. You better start out in front and stay there. Otherwise you might be trampled to death.”
Summer looked around and had to agree with Regina. It was quite a crowd. They all looked so experienced, too.
“By the way, you look terrific,” Regina said.
“Grandpa gave me the clothes,” she answered. She saw that her parents were waving, and she promptly waved back. Her confidence was dwindling, and she didn’t know how to stop the fear that was quickly invading her shaking legs. “I just wish they’d get started. Oh, Regina, what if I make a fool of myself?” she whispered so Luke wouldn’t overhear. He was busy stretching, so she was sure he wasn’t paying much attention to their conversation. But she was wrong, for he had heard her and stood up, shaking his head.
“Don’t get all nervous. You’re good, Summer. Just give it your best shot. And watch that girl over there, the blond. She’s going to be your only real competition. I’ve seen her in action in other races.”
Summer glanced over to where Luke had motioned and studied the tall girl with interest. She didn’t look very formidable, but Summer knew that looks could be deceiving. “Why do you say that?” she asked Luke. “I mean, she doesn’t look that…strong to me.”
“She is, though. She took first place in track last year.”
“You’ll win,” Regina said with certainty.
Gregg joined them and held out his hand to Summer. “Good luck, kid.” Before Summer could stop him, he pulled the bill of her cap down over her eyes.
“Ouch,” Summer said as she readjusted it. She really wasn’t hurt and knew that was just Gregg’s way of bei
ng affectionate.
“Has anyone seen David?” She glanced around again, squinting against the bright sun as she looked for him.
“There he is, over by that tree,” Regina announced. “Don’t look, he’s staring at you.”
Summer of course immediately looked and saw that David was alone. It was now or never. Without giving herself time to waiver, she walked over to him.
“Good luck, David,” she said, holding her hand out for a handshake.
“Good luck to you, too,” he answered. He took her hand and shook it, but continued to hold on. “I see Gregg came to cheer you on,” he continued. “Ann says you two are going together and that it’s kind of exclusive. Is that true?”
“Good heavens, no,” she stuttered. “Why would she say a thing like that?” She knew the answer. Ann was merely eliminating any competition. She must feel more than a little threatened, after all. Maybe she considered Summer a real threat! What a nice thought, she decided, gloating.
“Gregg is nothing more than a friend. When I don’t have a date, Regina makes him take me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. What about Ann? I don’t see her around. Are you kind of exclusive with her?”
“No.” He acted embarrassed, and his next sentence told her why. “Ann’s here all right, but I didn’t ask her to cheer me. I don’t ask her out, Summer. She calls me, and I never know how to say no when she asks me to take her somewhere.” His cheeks grew pink, and Summer felt sorry for him.
“I think I understand. Ann doesn’t know the meaning of no.”
“She’s a nice girl, but I’m not interested in her like I…”
“Like what, David?” She held her breath and waited.
“I’ll tell you after the race. You don’t have a date for the picnic, do you?”
“No, I’m here with the family.”
He looked relieved.
“Good,” David replied. “I’ll meet you right here after the race.”
When she nodded her agreement, he grabbed her by the shoulders and quickly kissed her, in front of the whole world.
“Is that for luck?” she stammered.
“No,” he answered. “It’s for being you.”
In a daze she turned and floated toward the starting line. Her mind was filled with his explanation and his kiss as she nudged into the front line of runners.
All thought of anything but running was placed on hold with the sound of the starting gun. The pack ran together for the first couple of miles, then one by one they fell behind Summer and the girl Luke had pointed out as her biggest competition. The two girls ran closely for the next few miles, almost matching each other stride for stride. Then, from the sounds of panting coming from her opponent, Summer knew it was time to make her bid. She escalated her pace and pulled away from the challenger. She felt free and almost superhuman when victory came into sight. The beckoning ribbon, stretched between two benches, became her focal point. In a final spurt, she raced on, a grimace of determination on her face, even as she broke through the finish line.
Victory was hers! She won by several yards. Her parents and grandfather were all hugging her at once, asking questions and cheering, but she was still trying to slow her pulse and get some air, and she could do nothing more than nod her head and cry.
As soon as she’d received the five hundred dollars and had her picture taken, she handed the check over to her father. “Will you take care of this for me, Dad,” she asked. “I want to find David.”
Before her father could reply, she turned and ran over to the spot she and David had agreed on for their meeting place. He was waiting for Summer, leaning against the tree, and he looked genuinely happy.
“I’m sorry that you didn’t win,” she said, “but Grandpa says to tell you that ‘fifth place is nothing to sneeze at.’ His exact words.”
David laughed and hugged her. “I’m so happy that you won, Summer. I’ll do better next year.”
“Thank you,” she said, trying her best to sound humble.
“It occurred to me that I’m the reason you were in this race,” he said. “All that work was to impress me, wasn’t it?”
She was too embarrassed to answer. She shrugged her shoulders instead.
“I acted like a jerk,” he said. “I made such a big deal out of your lying, and then I pretended I liked Ann. That’s the same as lying, isn’t it?”
“Are you saying you’re sorry?” she asked.
“Did you really like my drawings or were you lying then, too?”
“I liked them.”
“Here.” He thrust a folder into Summer’s hands. She immediately opened it and found a beautiful picture of a runner.
“It’s wonderful,” she said as she studied the picture. “Is it supposed to be me?”
“That’s not real tactful, Summer,” he said with a chuckle. “Guess it needs a little more work. You’re the first nonanimal I’ve drawn.”
“I’ll keep this forever,” she whispered. “Thank you, David.”
“You’re still flushed,” he said. “You must have pulled out all the stops. They say you won by a mile.”
“Not quite.” Impulsively she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Thanks for all your help with pacing and everything.” It wasn’t what she wanted to say. She meant, I love you, David Marshall.
“I want to ask you something,” David said, a serious expression entering his gaze.
“Yes?”
“I was wondering if…uh, if you would like to go with me? You know, just be my girl,” he said in a rush. He was looking right into her eyes, and she felt as if she was going to faint.
“I’d like that.”
Her answer pleased him considerably, and he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her high into the air. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and then they both started laughing with delight. This was surely the most wonderful day in her life. She closed her eyes tightly and cherished the moment, willing it to last a lifetime. Her eyes slowly opened, and she gazed at her arms. A gasp escaped her. Spots—faint, pink spots!
“You’re so much fun to be with,” he whispered.
She started to laugh, and David slowly lowered her to the ground.
“What’s so funny?”
“David,” she sighed, “have you ever had the chicken pox?”
JULIE GARWOOD is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including The Ideal Man, Sizzle, Fire and Ice, Shadow Music, Shadow Dance, and Slow Burn. She lives near Kansas City.