Blame it on the Rain: The Blame Game, #4

By Jamie Hill

Charlie Naughton and Jenny Craft grew up together. Their parents were best friends and the kids were inseparable throughout their school years. But when Charlie goes off to college, he's focusing more on his baseball scholarship than the friend he's leaving behind. Jenny's been in love with Charlie since she was seven, and he kissed her at his brother's wedding reception. Since then she's bided her time, waiting for him to realize that he loves her, too. Her senior year of high school is supposed to be one of her best. But when her parents' marriage hits the skids and her best girlfriend makes a surprise announcement, Jenny barely has time to deal with her blossoming romance. And with Charlie's insane schedule, thinking about each other seems to be the best they can do. When they finally find time to be together, neither one of them wants it to end. "If anyone asks where we were, we'll just blame it on the rain." But is 'happily ever after' really possible?

 

"An excellent family series. Cannot wait for the next one." ~ Kay Z.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Hill
• Release date: Jul 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201204969

Jamie Hill

Jamie Hill filled up one notebook after another, writing as a young adult. She picked up the craft again years later, tapping on the computer late at night after putting her children to bed. First published in 2005, she’s written numerous novels and short stories. Jamie lives in the Midwest where she enjoys spending time with her family, streaming true crime shows, crocheting, and snuggling warm, cuddly puppies.

Book preview

Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: yours is the darkness of my soul’s return~ you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars. ~ E. E. Cummings

There are three things you can do in a baseball game. You can win, or you can lose, or it can rain. ~ Casey Stengel

Chapter One

M erry Christmas!

Charlie Naughton heard several excited voices exchange the greeting, followed by laughter and squeals which wafted upstairs from the foyer. His extended family and friends had obviously arrived for their holiday meal.

He wasn’t even dressed yet. He’d only been home from college for two days, and hadn’t caught up on his sleep. Christmas Eve had been crazy busy with four active nieces and a nephew who never sat still. They’d gone to an early Mass then came home and ate, until the children couldn’t stand it any longer and were allowed to open presents from their grandparents.

After his brother and sister had taken their families home, Charlie and his sister Clarissa opened gifts at a less frantic pace with their folks. They’d started the Christmas Eve tradition when he and Lis were teenagers and decided that everyone preferred to sleep in on Christmas rather than wake up early for presents. It also gave Dave, Carys and their girls, and Dana, Clint and their three kids a chance to open gifts with their own families on Christmas morning. Everyone met back at home base for a big meal at one p.m., including the one person Charlie was most anxious to see.

Jenny.

His best friend forever since he could remember, Jenny had gone with her folks to Atlanta to see her grandparents for the holiday. He’d texted her throughout the week but hadn’t seen her yet. He was more than ready. He had so much to tell her.

Charlie tossed his towel on the bed and pulled on some boxers and his well-worn jeans. The only semi-clean shirt he could find was an Emporia State sweatshirt, so he tugged it over his head. Checking in the mirror for stains, he was relieved that it looked okay, and made a mental note to do laundry as soon as time allowed.

His hair was short enough that he didn’t have to brush it. He patted on some cologne and at the last minute found some socks, then headed downstairs.

There he is! Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Jenny’s mother Jetta was the first to get her hands on him. She pulled him close for a hug. How you doing, sweetie? Merry Christmas!

Charlie grinned and hugged her back. She was a darker-skinned clone of his own mom, with long curly hair and personality to spare. The women had been best friends since before he was born, and he and Jenny had grown up calling both of them ‘Mom’. Mom, the sequel! Great to see you.

She patted his chest. You look tired. Are they working you too hard at that school?

Yes they are. Suppose you could call my coach and have a word with him?

Anytime. Just say when.

Jenny’s father Jim stepped up and grinned. That’s just what he needs, two moms bugging his coach. He’ll be on the bench the whole year. Hey kid. How’s practice going? Ready for the season to start?

You mean it hasn’t? Charlie pretended to wipe his forehead. If this is what pre-season is like, I honestly think the season might kill me. Two to three hour sessions a day, five to six days a week.

It’s good for you. Jim gave him a hug.

Spoken like a true dad, Charlie deadpanned. He’d always admired Jenny’s father, but the man intimidated the hell out of him from an early age. His twenty-plus years with the Marshall Police Department had most recently landed him a Captain’s badge and a desk job, which hadn’t lessened the intimidation factor.

He glanced over Jim’s shoulder and spotted Jenny. Quietly waiting her turn, she wore similar faded jeans as his and the exact same Emporia State sweatshirt. Hers is probably clean. Charlie grinned and reached out for a hug. Hey you.

Hey you, she echoed, and hugged him tight.

She always smelled the same, like jasmine and honeysuckle, spicy and woodsy. He knew she wore Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld because he’d bought it for her enough times at birthdays and holidays. Her sweet, familiar scent was comforting and reassuring. He hugged her another long moment.

I missed you, she whispered into his neck.

I have so much to tell you, he whispered back.

All right you two. Charlie’s mom, Catlin, put her hands on their backs. Let’s move this party into the family room. But prepare yourselves. The munchkins are here, and they are wired for sound. I don’t know if they ate pure sugar for breakfast or what, but they’ll knock you over if you aren’t holding on to something.

Jenny clutched his hand.

Charlie smiled, and they headed into the family room.

Did you cut your hair? his mom asked Jenny, touching her ponytail.

A little. Had the ends trimmed, mainly.

It looks good. Catlin squeezed her free arm.

Charlie glanced at Jenny’s hair. How can she tell it was cut? It looked the same to him. The thick, wavy black hair fell just past her shoulders when it was loose but Jenny almost always wore it pulled back. She had to when playing the sports that she loved as much as he did. Jenny played for St. Joseph’s volleyball and basketball teams during the school year and for a city league softball team in the summer.

They reached the family room and the noise level increased five-fold. Charlie saw his dad on the floor with two of the littlest girls, looking at their new dolls and accessories. Dang, Dad! Wish I would have known you liked dolls so much, we would have got you one for Christmas.

His father, Steve, glanced up at him and his eyes twinkled. "Got my doll for Christmas a few years ago, son. Don’t need another one. Couldn’t handle another one." He winked at Catlin.

She beamed and wagged a finger at him. You got that right, buddy. Look who’s here, the Craft family returned from Atlanta in one piece.

Barely. Jetta rolled her eyes and made her way around the room saying hello.

Charlie and Jenny nabbed two straight-back chairs that had been brought in for extra seating and sat on the edge of the fray.

Holy smokes! she muttered to him teasingly. How can you hear yourself think?

Best not to try and think. Just smile and enjoy them. Dad says they’ll grow up too fast.

Your dad is so cool. Jenny’s voice sounded wistful.

Charlie glanced at Jim who had accepted a beer and was talking to Dave. Your dad is too. He’s just got that ‘police captain’ thing hanging over him. Like you know he’d help you out if you were in trouble, but you’d still manage to catch hell for it.

She laughed. I know, right? I’d totally call your dad if I was in trouble before I’d consider calling mine.

He glanced sideways at her. What kind of trouble would you get in, Miss Class Valedictorian?

She swatted his knee. We don’t know that yet. I could blow this last semester.

Charlie chuckled. Like that’s going to happen. He watched her for another moment. She had a funny look on her face. Jen, is anything wrong? You’re not in trouble, are you?

Of course not. She rapped his leg again.

Because you know you can call me any time of the day or night, I don’t care where I am. If you need me, I’ll be here for you.

Jenny smiled. Unless you’re at baseball practice or playing in a game, right? How many games did you say you play in a season?

He smiled sheepishly and knew his face went red. About fifty-six. Two during the week and a weekend series.

She sighed. I’ll never see you during baseball season.

He knocked his knee against hers. We can Skype and text. It’ll be fine. You’ll be busy too, in the last few months of your senior year.

His nephew approached and Charlie smiled. Hey Sam! Did Santa find you guys?

Yes. The serious eleven-year-old nodded. He had blond hair like both Dana and Clint, but wore big black-framed glasses. Would you like to see my Skylanders? He held up two action figures. I just got these. This is Blast Zone and this one is Boom Jet.

Jenny took one of the characters and studied it. What are these guys?

While Sam launched into a detailed and complicated description of the toys, Charlie whispered, You put them on this platform thing and they move while you’re playing the Skylanders video game.

These are the latest editions from the Swap Force series, Sam continued, and proceeded to show them how the characters ‘swapped’ body parts to create other characters.

Cool. Jenny nodded.

Looks like your sisters got dolls again. Charlie motioned to the two girls who were still showing his dad all about them.

Yeah, they only even asked for dolls! Can you believe that? Sam shook his head.

Dolls are dumb. Eight-year-old Annie, one of Dave and Carys’s twins, joined them. Another blonde-haired cutie, she and her sister were obviously not into girly things like their cousins. Ash and I got skateboards. And a new Playstation, but I think that was really for Dad, she confided.

Charlie and Jenny laughed. I’d tend to agree with you there. He touched one of her light brown pigtails. What else did you get?

Ashley popped up next to her sister. Her pigtails were the only similar feature to her sister. They were fraternal twins and looked completely different, but both were little spitfires like their mom. We got kittens! Mine is brown striped. She looks like chocolate so I named her Brownie.

Annie added, Mine is black and white. Her name is Oreo.

Cute! Jenny grinned at them. We’ll have to come see them before Charlie goes back to school.

You bet we will. He tickled the girls and they laughed before they raced off.

Slow down! Carys called over her shoulder after them as she approached Charlie and Jenny. Hey you two. Merry Christmas.

Same to you. Jenny looked at Carys’s bulging stomach. You’ve grown since Thanksgiving!

Don’t I know it? His pretty blonde sister-in-law held her back. The doctor swears this isn’t twins and it better not be because he’ll be so dead if he’s wrong. Right after I kill David, that is.

Charlie chuckled. You’re a nurse. If you didn’t want more kids, I would have thought you’d know what to do about it.

She rolled her eyes. In case they didn’t tell you in Health class, little brother, sometimes accidents happen. We didn’t plan to start over with diapers again now that the girls are eight. But honestly, I think Dave is pretty excited. He always wanted a boy, and now he’s going to get it. Provided I survive the next couple of months!

Jenny blinked. Aren’t you excited, Carys?

Carys smiled. Of course I am. Just don’t tell David. He’s feeling pretty guilty, more so the bigger I get. I’m going to milk that guilt for all it’s worth. He’s never been so helpful around the house. He and the girls are taking care of me for the first time, so I’m not going to blow that.

Charlie put a finger to his lips. We won’t say a word. Go sit down and put your feet up.

I think I will. She winked at them and as she walked off, continued to hold her back. David? Could you possibly bring me something to drink?

Sure. He hopped up and disappeared into the kitchen.

Charlie and Jenny laughed. He loved his stepbrother, but both Dave and Dana were children of his father’s first marriage and sixteen years older than him. They were simply at different stages in their lives than he was. He couldn’t imagine being thirty-something and having three kids. It felt like his whole life was ahead of him. Charlie shook his head. He’s whipped.

Totally, Jenny agreed. About like your dad with Stephanie and Stacy. He loves them all, but he can’t resist the girly-girls, can he?

Charlie glanced at his nine and six-year-old nieces, Dana’s younger two. No kidding. They’ll be just like Dana and Clarissa—Daddy’s little girls.

Where is Lis? Jenny glanced around.

I don’t know. Maybe the kitchen? She promised Mom she’d help her cook today.

Jenny bit her lip. Maybe we should offer to help?

Nah. He took her hand. Let’s talk. There’s so much I want to tell you, I’ll never remember it all.

She smiled at him. Sure. Let’s talk.

JENNIFER GAZED AT CHARLIE dreamily as he held her hand. He’d been regaling her with stories from his first semester at college for nearly half an hour. It all seemed so important to him. Of course it was important to her, too, but he was a storyteller, and could make a trip to the grocery store sound like an event.

Deep down, when he’d mentioned he had so much to tell her, she’d hoped it was something about the two of them. Apparently, she’d overthought that one. His talk was all about baseball and dorms and roommates and classes—typical stuff a guy away at college the first time should be excited about.

She had him home for a week. Hopefully it’d be enough time to get him excited about something else—her. She nodded as he explained how the cereal dispensers in the dining hall worked, or some days, didn’t work. She smiled.

His mom called them to dinner and they ate a huge turkey feast around the Naughton’s big dining room table with all the leaves inserted. Jenny felt almost as comfortable there as she did at her house, but not so much when everyone was gathered. The children were cute but they were precocious like little kids in their family tended to be, and everyone fussed over them.

Jenny was more at ease when it was just Charlie’s parents, him and Lis. At those times, she’d be happy to move right in. There was so much love in the home, she couldn’t help but feel it wrap around her, too.

Charlie’s folks were crazy about each other. Their twentieth wedding anniversary was coming up the following summer and they were having fun speculating on how and where they were going to celebrate.

Her parents’ twentieth anniversary had passed quietly a few years back. Catlin and Steve threw them a small party, but her folks didn’t want a fuss. These days, they didn’t want much that had to do with each other, or so it seemed. Ever since her dad had gotten promoted to captain and taken a desk job, he’d changed. More serious, she decided, probably because he was in charge of a unit of officers. Definitely less fun and not home nearly as much as he used to be. Jenny and her mom were together much of the day at St. Joseph’s