One Summer in Arkansas by Marcia Kemp Sterling

Author:Marcia Kemp Sterling [Sterling, Marcia Kemp]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780988376816
Publisher: BookBaby

chapter twenty-nine

“God, I’m bummed that Jason isn’t getting in tonight. We have such a short time together as it is.” Zoe threw her shoulder bag onto the sofa and approached the window to take in the spectacular view. “This place is amazing.”

Lee was kicking himself for not foreseeing the awkward inevitability of room assignments. Based on input from Michelle, Megan had assumed that Zoe and Lee would share a bedroom, and he could hardly have broken the news of his new relationship in front of everybody. So now here they were, roomies, while he faced the unwinnable choice of making a public breakup with Zoe the focus of a weekend meant for Jason, or staying put in what would plainly be a betrayal of two women he adored.

The bedroom was twice the size of Lee’s Palo Alto apartment, with a rock-lined walk-in shower and spa open to the hills. Sliding glass doors provided access to a huge side patio with fountain art and the sound of water trickling through the Zen-like rock formations. He was keenly aware of the sounds—water and birds and the occasional sea breeze filtering through live oaks. They walked out onto the patio and breathed deeply. Fragrances of rosemary, eucalyptus and rose petals danced in the breeze. Although it was mid-afternoon, the warmest part of the day, the air felt light and dry.

“Let’s go out and explore while we can,” Zoe suggested. “Why don’t we follow the trailhead behind the shed?”

They hadn’t touched, except for the cursory greeting in the car. Typical of Zoe, she seemed to intuit that the time wasn’t right. In addition to all else, they were close friends, and both of them were looking forward to talking about ideas, doing what they could to support Jason, being in the moment in one of the world’s most beautiful places.

Michelle and Jeff joined them on the outing and, after a full afternoon hiking the hills and watching the sunset from the Carmel Beach, they returned to the house where Megan had carefully set aside dinner ingredients for them to prepare. They had cooked many meals together, though never in a kitchen so magnificent, and they shared duties comfortably, sipping a light Viognier and exchanging stories about the summer and expectations for the fall in San Francisco.

Lee’s internal clock was still on Central Daylight Time, so he begged off at midnight, leaving the others deep in conversation.

The next morning Jason greeted his classmates with warm handshakes and hugs all around. He had a Midwestern build, not heavy but solid, dark blond curls, a ruddy complexion and a ready smile. “How you surviving Arkansas, man?”

“Is this place amazing or what?” Jeff chimed in.

“How was the bar exam?” Jason asked.

The affection was heartfelt and mutual. Jason’s arrival instantly changed the dynamic of the group. No longer two couples, they were just friends again, with the easy rapport that makes conversation light and meaningful without having to say much.

After giving Jason the grand tour of the Carmel Valley

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