Free Chasing Sunsets by Karen Kingsbury Page A

uttered a single laugh. “Well, Marcus. I mean, you have Shelly. I wouldn’t want to be too friendly.”
    He nodded slowly. “Okay. If that’s all it was.”
    “Tell me about her. You and Shelly.” Mary Catherine was proud of herself. This was a good way to turn the conversation.
    “There’s not much to say.” He stayed quiet for a few minutes while they walked. Then he turned to her. “So what’s your story, Mary Catherine? Tyler tells me you grew up in Nashville. Why’d you leave?”
    “Good question.” There had been times when she tried to tell herself Marcus was shallow. He was a pro ballplayer, after all. But that simply wasn’t the case. His tone was kind and tender, and she sensed a depth in him that surprised her.
    “Didn’t you like the South?” Their pace was easy, relaxing.
    “Actually, I loved it.” She laughed lightly and looked up at the stars. “I guess I was too comfortable. Everything felt predictable and safe.”
    “Hmm.” Marcus laughed, but barely hard enough to be heard. “Sounds like you. Sami says you like jumping out of planes and riding your bike down Santa Monica Boulevard.”
    “And swim with dolphins.” She laughed. “That actually happened right here.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. It was amazing.” She cast him a look. “I like feeling alive.” She walked a few more steps and shrugged. “That’s just me.”
    “Now we’re getting somewhere.” They turned a cornerand kept walking. “Were you like the oldest of six kids or what? Locked in the house till you were eighteen?” He chuckled. “Why live life on the edge?”
    “Actually, I was an only child. My parents did well for themselves. The right house in the right neighborhood, the best social clubs and affiliations.” She smiled. “They loved me, but . . . they didn’t stay together.” This was the part of her story where her health came into play. Both of her parents worried about her, wanted her close to them, where she could be safe.
    Mary Catherine wanted adventure.
    She skipped that part. Marcus didn’t need to know. There would be no reason.
    “Okay. Why Los Angeles?” He seemed genuinely interested.
    She grinned. “It was everything Nashville was not. Wild and loud and crowded and godless.” She nodded once. “In LA, I don’t go an hour without knowing how desperately I need the Lord. I like it that way.”
    “So did you break some poor guy’s heart back in Nashville?”
    “Hardly.” She laughed out loud. “I dated a few guys, but I never found that guy. You know . . . the one I could be real with.” She thought for a moment. The last guy she dated was a good one. They loved to laugh together. But in the end, he wasn’t the right one. Just as well, given the news about her heart. “I guess I’m picky.”
    “I could use a little more of that.” He grinned at her.
    He had to be talking about Shelly, but Mary Catherine didn’t want to push the issue. She slowed her steps. “Anotherthing . . . have you noticed how selfish everyone is? We’re all about our own social media, our own platform, our own interests. I still haven’t found a guy who can be in the moment. You know, carry on a conversation without checking his phone halfway through.”
    Marcus stopped walking and looked down. He checked the ground in front of him and behind him, and then reached into the pockets of his jeans. When he found them empty, he patted his other pockets. Then he shrugged.
    “You lost your phone?” Mary Catherine glanced at the sidewalk behind them.
    “No.” He slipped his hands in his pockets and looked straight into her eyes. “I didn’t bring it. Figured I’d rather be in the moment.”
    Touché. Mary Catherine felt something strange and unfamiliar in her heart. He was right. Where so many guys were too distracted to pay attention, Marcus had asked for this time with her and he’d remained truly present. “Thank you.” She felt her smile soften.
    They started walking again. “For