Free Finding Absolution by Carol Lynne

their actions without expecting others to shoulder it for them.”
    “Yet you still refuse to press charges against Guy,” Van pointed out. “Shouldn’t he take responsibility for what he did to you?”
    “Sure, but that’s on him. All I can do is take responsibility for my part in what happened, and I think I have. I’ve already told you, I don’t have a problem with Guy. I’ll never be dumb enough to be alone with him again, but I’m not the kind of person who keeps score.”
    “Really?” Van didn’t buy it. “Because your grandpa told me tonight that you came back from Seattle to pay some sort of debt that you felt you owed him.”
    “He said that to you?” Jon sat up to face Van. “What else did he say?”
    “That what he and your grandma did was out of love and nothing more.” Van kissed Jon.
    “Then why can’t he see that I came back out of love?” Jon asked, more to himself than Van.
    “He knows you love him, but I think he also feels guilty because he didn’t try to talk you out of it,” Van explained.
    “You must think we’re pretty screwed up, huh?”
    Van pulled Jon against him once more. “Not at all. Actually, I admire you. I’ve only lived your life for two days, and I don’t know how the hell you do it all by yourself. I’m ashamed to admit it, but when I’m at home, I work with Kai for four or five hours and usually end up surfing or stretched out in the hammock for the rest of the day. Compared to you, I really am one of those beach bums they talk about.”
    Jon shrugged. “I guess I don’t think about how much I do during a day, I just do it because it has to be done.” He sighed. “And I can’t think of anything better than lying on a beach every evening.”
    “For the last few years, I’ve grown to love the solitude my home provides, but now you’ve ruined it for me. I know I’ll never again watch a sunset or lie in the hammock without wishing you were with me.”
    “I can be. All you have to do is call me and close your eyes, and I’ll be with you.”
    Van knew a phone call wouldn’t be good enough. He just needed to figure out what to do about it.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Eyes closed, Jon was on the cusp of falling asleep when Van jostled him. “I’m getting wet.”
    Confused by the announcement, Jon opened his eyes. “Huh?”
    “The grass. My ass is getting wet from the dew,” Van informed him.
    “Oh.” Jon got to his feet and held out his hand to Van. “You should’ve said something before.”
    “I was enjoying myself too much, but now it’s getting uncomfortable.” Van stood. “So what do you think, should we go back to the party or head on to the lodge?”
    Van was nervous about running into Guy, that much was obvious, but Jon hated to cut their night short because of it. “I’d kinda like to go back to the dance for a while if you don’t mind.”
    “That’s fine.” Van glanced over his shoulder at the statue. “As long as you’re close, we can do anything you want.”
    As they walked back to the party, Jon pointed out different shops along the way. It was pathetic how much he knew about the town without having met many of its residents. Hell, Van knew more people than Jon and he’d only been in town for a few days.
    Two men stepped out of the shadows and nearly ran into them.
    “Whoa.” Van immediately moved to protect Jon.
    Jon rolled his eyes when he noticed who the men were. He’d never met Ryan Blackfeather or Nate Gills, but he definitely knew who the sheriff and the mayor of Cattle Valley were.
    “You caught us,” Ryan said. He turned to his partner. “This is Van, Kai’s coach.”
    “Nice to meet you.” Van shook Nate’s hand. “Do you know Jon Porter?”
    “No.” Nate held his hand out to Jon. “Are you from Hawaii, too?”
    Jon felt like an idiot. “No, I live about forty-five minutes from here.”
    Nate stared at the protective arm Van had around Jon and grinned. “Where’d the two of you