An impish grin stole across Mary’s mouth. “Shrek?”
“That’s the one.” The waitress placed a hand on her hip and lifted the pitcher. “Your lobster rolls should be out soon.”
“So, Shrek?” Mary pulled the wrapper from her straw and crumpled it between her thumb and fingers.
“They’re not happy unless they’re gossiping about someone,” he grumbled, but his attention was on those lips. Kissing her had been a blunder, because now he knew how they tasted. And those tastes weren’t enough. Nowhere near enough.
“That’s not fair.” She stuck the straw in her glass. “They all seem very nice.”
“Yeah, right,” he said as he touched his head, but he ended up grinning like a fool. Being around Mary and Elliott had that effect on him.
She smoothed a blanket over Elliott as his eyes grew heavy and he began to doze off. “Did you get all you needed at the feed store?”
He nodded and sipped his water. “I also made an appointment with a farrier to come to the farm to take care of Patton and the other horses’ feet.”
“Patton is your horse, right? Is there something wrong?” She placed her elbows on the table and leaned closer.
“Yes, Patton is mine and this is just routine. Their hooves need trimming about every six to eight weeks.” Her concern for the animals touched him like a hand around his heart.
Mary flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Just like my hair.”
“I’ll be sure to compliment them on their trimmed feet,” Brody said and they both laughed.
Elliott startled and opened his eyes but brought his thumb to his mouth and dozed off again.
Mary and Brody talked about the horses until the waitress came back with their lobster rolls.
Trudi set their plates on the table. “Will we see the three of you at the Independence Day picnic? It will be a good way for you to introduce Mary around.”
“I don’t—”
“I’d love—”
“Oo-kaay, I think that’s my cue to leave.” The waitress’s gaze bounced between them, and she winked and scurried away.
Brody cleared his throat. “Look, if you—”
Mary shook her head. “Ogle said my car would be ready by then, so there’s no need for you to worry about it if you prefer not to come.”
Brody frowned. “It’s over a month away, so we don’t have to decide today.”
He didn’t have a burning desire to attend the annual town picnic, but having Mary say she didn’t need him to accompany her bothered him. The fact it bothered him was even more disturbing.
Chapter Seven
“There’s a baseball game on tonight.” Brody winced at the lame attempt at small talk. How many times had he squashed the urge to tell her what he’d planned for tonight? It wouldn’t be a surprise if he told her.
“Oh?” She gave him a curious look as she loaded the dishwasher.
He handed her the rest of the dirty dishes from supper. “Yeah, I thought I’d watch it.”
“Okay.”
She was looking at him as if he’d lost his mind, and he couldn’t blame her.
Before he embarrassed himself further, he went into the living room and put on the game. But he would’ve been hard-pressed to tell anyone the score, because he kept glancing at his watch, not wanting to lose track of the time.
It had been three days since Mary’s trip to the hair salon, and each night he’d forced himself to remain in the house after supper as a test to his willpower. He would acknowledge his physical attraction to Mary, but he refused to let it rule his actions. But tonight was different.
When Mary picked Elliott up off the blanket on the floor to put him to bed, Brody followed. After they’d gotten Elliott tucked in, Brody touched Mary’s arm as they walked out of the room. “There’s something I want to show you. I should’ve explained, but I didn’t want to spoil it.”
“What? What is it?”
He checked his watch. “We have a few minutes.”
“Oh?”
“Follow me,” he said and went to the stairs.
She followed a step behind. “I don’t understand.”
“You’ll see.” He led her to the front door, hoping his surprise didn’t fall flat. How many times had he wanted to blurt out his plan?
“Where are we going?”
“Outside.” It was too late to turn back now, so he’d have to power through this and hope she wouldn’t laugh.
“I know that. But why?”
Before his better judgment kicked in, he took her hand in his. “Something I want you to see.”
“But it’s pitch-black out there. How am I supposed to see anything?”
Brody squeezed her hand and led her through the door.
“What if—”
He held up the baby monitor. “We’ll be in sight of the house at all times. I promise.”
He brought her to the front yard, away from the trees, and checked the illuminated dial on his watch again.
He stood close and let go of her hand so he could wrap his arm around her shoulder.
“Be watching up there,” he said and pointed skyward.
They stood gazing up for several minutes, her scent filling his head.
“Ooh, there’s Cassiopeia and Cepheus.” She turned. “Did I tell you I spotted them the other night? Is that why—”
“No, this is better.” Please let it be so.
She drew in a breath as if affronted but spoiled it with a grin. “Better than Cassiopeia and Cepheus? Is that possible?”
“Brat.” He flicked her nose, then pointed toward the sky. The urge to kiss her was strong, but if he did he wouldn’t stop and they’d miss it. “Keep watching.”
Her head followed his pointing finger. “What am I looking for?”
“You’ll see it in a minute.” He grinned at her growing impatience.
“I don’t understand,” she said, her tone doubtful.
“You told me how you used to look at the night sky and wonder about all the things up there.” He squeezed her shoulder, drawing her closer.
“It was silly...childish...” She shuffled her feet and glanced down.
“No, it wasn’t. I named my alpacas Lost and Found. I would be the last one to tease.” He hugged her closer and placed a kiss on her temple, not wanting her to feel foolish for divulging a girlhood dream.
“Keep your eye on the sky.” He directed her head in a northeasterly direction.
She stood up straighter as if snapping to attention, telling him she was looking in the right place. Good, because he couldn’t turn away to check, hated to even blink, not wanting to miss even a second of her fascination.
“I see a light...but that’s not an airplane...what is it?” Her tone was tinged with wonder.
“It’s the International Space Station,” he told her. She turned to look at him, but he guided her head back to the sky.
“For real?” She sucked in a breath.
“For real.” The tension coiling inside him escaped as a laugh. Her delight raised the hairs on his arm. He’d been worried she would scoff.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her, but he knew where the space station was because she tracked its progress across the sky until it disappeared into the horizon. “There are astronauts in it right now,” she whispered as if talking to herself.
“Yup.” He tightened his arm around her. “Not the Serenity crew, but astronauts nonetheless.”
She turned and cupped his cheek with her palm. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
There were a few ways—No, don’t spoil this moment for her—but he did lean into her palm. “I didn’t do much except look up the trajectory on the internet and figure out where it was going to be and when.”
“It’s...it’s...” A smile slowly sp
read across her face. “Thank you. Really... I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re welcome.” He shrugged, but every hair on his scalp stood at attention at the expression on her face. “It’s not a big deal. It’s not like it cost me anything.”
“Cost doesn’t matter. It was very thoughtful. No one has ever taken the time to set up something like this.” Her smile was eager, her face infused with delight.
He laughed, feeling lighter than he had in the past three years. “I didn’t arrange for the space station to fly over this little patch of Vermont. It’s just up there if you know where to look and when.”
“But you remembered something I’d said and went to the trouble of looking it up and showing it to me.” Her voice was soft, husky, tinged with wonder.
“I confess I’ve come out here before to see it.” He brushed the hair off her face. “But this has been the most enjoyable time.”
“Ouch.” She slapped at her leg.
“Mosquitoes?” His disappointment outweighed the situation.
“I don’t know, but it bites, whatever it is.” She brushed her leg.
He dropped his arm. “We’d better go back inside.”
“Next time we’ll have to remember the bug spray,” she said as they headed for the house.
The way she said “next time” filled him with warmth. He reached for her hand, laced his fingers through hers and squeezed. No matter what happened in the future, he’d remember this night, this incredible feeling.
* * *
The next morning, Mary ended her phone call and fought the urge to squeal the way Elliott did when something pleased or surprised him. Grown women didn’t squeal...at least not out loud, but she was still floating from last night. Just thinking about Brody’s thoughtful gesture made her giddy. No matter what the future held, nothing would tarnish her memory of the previous evening.
She scooped Elliott up from his high chair and wiped his chin. “Let’s go find Uncle Brody and tell him about Mommy’s phone call.”
It didn’t escape her notice that her first reaction to good news was to find Brody. He’d left a note on the table saying he’d grabbed some breakfast and would be in the barn if she needed anything. She recalled him saying today was the day the farrier was coming.
In the barn she found him brushing one of the horses.
“Did they get their new shoes already?” she asked as she entered. She went to stand closer to him, and Elliott began babbling to the horse, who twitched its ears.
Brody stopped his brushing motions. “Not yet. What’s up?”
“What makes you think something is up?” She had trouble containing her excitement.
“You’re doing that thing.” He motioned toward her with the brush.
“Thing? What thing?” She glanced down at herself. What was he talking about?
He went back to brushing the horse but glanced over at her, his lips twitching. “Balancing on your toes.”
“I do?” Heat rose in her face. Why had he noticed such a thing?
“Uh-huh.” He stopped brushing and crossed his arms over his chest and studied her. “When you’re excited or happy about something. Tell me your news.”
She couldn’t hold back any longer. “I have a job.”
“You do?” His head jerked back, surprise stamped on his features.
Another expression crossed his face, but it disappeared so fast she couldn’t place the emotion. She tempered her excitement. “It’s just part-time, but it’s a start. And it could lead to full-time at some point.”
He watched her, amused. “Congratulations, but tell me, how the heck did you get a job without leaving the house? Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t you here all morning?”
“Thanks!” She laughed, a giddy sensation washing over her—not from her news but from the glint in his blue eyes. She hugged Elliott closer. “You were right about news traveling fast in Loon Lake. Someone mentioned to Mr. Burke that I was looking for some accounting work, and he called me.”
“Burke?”
“Randall Burke is a CPA. He works from a small office at his home and is looking to cut back in preparation for retirement. Someone told him I’m a CPA, and he called.”
He nodded. “And I’ll bet that someone was Tavie.”
“Probably, but I don’t mind.” She kissed Elliott.
He set the brush down and patted the horse. “How about a celebratory dinner?”
“Sure. What would you like me to cook?”
He laughed. “I meant I’m taking you out. We’ll go to Angelo’s.”
Angelo’s? What was he suggesting? She might not have been in Loon Lake very long, but even she knew that was where couples went for dates. “That’s not necessary.”
“I think it is, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Well...okay. Thank you.” Going to supper wouldn’t be like a date or anything—they’d have Elliott with them. So it would just be a family—oops, not that, either, at least not in conventional terms.
“We’ll ask Meg if she’d be willing to watch Elliott so you can enjoy yourself without having your meal disrupted. I know Riley is on nights this week. I’m sure she and Fiona would love the company.”
It’s a celebratory dinner...nothing more. Maybe he didn’t want to have to worry about Elliott disrupting his dinner.
“Is there a problem with leaving Elliott with Meg?”
“What? Oh, no, that would be fine as long as she doesn’t mind. I’ll give her a call.” She bounced Elliott on her hip. “Would you like to see Fiona?”
Elliott’s answer was to squeal, even if he had no idea what all the excitement was about.
“I guess that’s a yes,” Brody observed.
“I’ll go call her.”
“Great. Let me know and I’ll make reservations.”
Mary called, and Meg was eager to watch Elliott and said Fiona would be ecstatic. Despite her earlier caution, Mary was excited, too.
That evening Mary dressed with care. She’d packed a plain black dress in anticipation of job interviews. Although this wasn’t an audition for anything, her fanciest jewelry helped it fit the occasion. The way Brody’s eyes widened and his smile when she came downstairs told her she’d made a good choice.
At the restaurant, the hostess greeted them. “Our new outdoor deck overlooking the lake is open, if you’re interested.”
“Mary?” Brody glanced at her.
“That sounds lovely.” And romantic. It was getting harder to remember this evening wasn’t a date.
A pergola strung with thousands of twinkling lights covered a flagstone patio scattered with tables and small trees, tiny lights wound around their trunks and branches. Each table held flickering candles in glass lanterns.
“It’s like a fairy tale,” Mary said as she tried to take it all in.
“I’m glad you like it.” Brody rested his hand on the small of her back as they wound their way through the tables to one overlooking the lake.
“This is gorgeous.” Mary felt as though her head was on a swivel as she tried to take it all in. “Have you ever been here before?”
He nodded. “Once, but this area is all new.”
She couldn’t help wondering whom he’d come with, because this wasn’t the type of restaurant a couple of friends would choose for a night out. No, Angelo’s was a romantic setting better suited to couples. But you’re not a couple, her inner voice reminded. “It’s lovely. I’m glad the weather is pleasant enough to be out here.”
He made a sound of agreement and picked up his menu, so she opened hers. The waiter returned with water and warm bread.
After the waiter left, Brody directed her attention to a spot on the other side of the dark water. “I’m not sure if you can see much in the dark, but the Coopers live across the lake beyond that sta
nd of trees.”
She glanced across the water. “Huh, I didn’t realize Meg and Riley lived so close to the water.”
“Yeah, the homes on that side are hemmed in with trees, but they have a path down to the lake. It had gotten overgrown, but a few of us cleared the way, widened it and put in pavers as a wedding present.”
“What a great gift.” She took a slice of bread and dipped it in the olive oil and herbs.
“I was just muscle.”
“I’m sure they were pleased.”
“That reminds me.” He set his bread on the small plate and pulled a clumsily wrapped package from the inside of his jacket. “To celebrate your new job.”
“I thought that’s what this was for.” She waved her hand around the patio.
He shrugged. “It’s a small gesture.”
“Good, because it’s a small job...for now.”
Goodness, she hoped he didn’t notice how much her fingers trembled as she unwrapped it. She hadn’t received many presents in her life, and while she appreciated him going out of his way to celebrate her job, she didn’t want him to know how much this meant. She didn’t want pity from Brody. No, she wanted so much more. And that scared her.
“Well?” He motioned his head toward the half-opened present.
“Oh, sorry.” She tore the rest of the paper and opened the box. Inside, nestled in balled-up newspapers, was a kid’s magic wand, the kind she might find at a dollar store. She held it up.
“To make all your dreams come true,” he said gruffly.
His flushed face told her he found his little bit of sentiment embarrassing. That warmed her heart as much as the gift itself.
She tapped him on the shoulder. “Look. It works.”
If she hadn’t been watching so closely, she might’ve missed the flash of panic in his eyes before he blinked and it disappeared. Yeah, he wasn’t ready for forever. Was she chasing an unattainable dream? One as outlandish as imagining herself aboard the International Space Station last night? Quit being silly and enjoy the evening without any worries about tomorrow.
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