“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. She’s been alone for a very long time. Her last boyfriend took off when she was still in college. She hasn’t so much as had one date since then.”
“You’re kidding. Maybe she’s dated and didn’t tell you.”
“I suppose that’s possible, but not likely. Although she didn’t tell me about Nate until they’d been going out for a few weeks.”
“Exactly.” She looked toward her vehicle. “I should go so I can get cleaned up. What time is dinner?”
“Six.”
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
“Good.”
She couldn’t wait for tonight. She had more news to tell him.
***
Derrick rushed through his house in a frenzy to make sure everything was perfect, including the table where he’d placed flowers. This was his second chance with Hope, and he didn’t want to blow it.
He’d purchased the bouquet from the lady who’d set up shop on a street corner downtown. She specialized in wildflowers, go figure, but she still had a small selection of daffodils. He’d chosen the daffodils since he’d given Hope tulips last time.
“Relax, Dad. Gabe’s coming over too, and you don’t see me acting all stressed out.”
He paused. “You’re right, sweetie, but this is different. You’ve already won Gabe’s heart. The verdict is still out on how Hope feels about me.”
His daughter giggled. “I thought it was obvious she’s crazy about you.” She shrugged. “But, whatever.”
She is? He wanted to ask how Alyssa knew, but discussing his love life with his teenaged daughter was a bad idea. “When will Aunt Jill be here?”
“She’s riding over with Nate. I like him.”
“Nate?”
“Yeah. He’s really nice to Aunt Jill, and when he looks at her, his eyes get all dreamy like yours do when you look at Hope.”
He squared his shoulders. “I don’t get dreamy-eyed.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Dad. Hey—will you keep an eye on the chicken stew while I check on the bread? I should have used a larger pot, and I’m afraid it will overflow if we aren’t careful.”
“Sure. You made homemade bread?”
She slid her hand into an oven glove. “Yeah. I’m surprised you don’t smell it. The entire house is scented with it.”
He breathed in deeply. “I smell it now. I’ve been going so fast since I got home I didn’t take the time to notice. It smells delicious. How’d you have time? Doesn’t bread need to rise and stuff?”
“Wow. You really are self-absorbed sometimes. Or maybe your thoughts are Hope-absorbed,” she scrunched her nose. “That sounded funny.” She shrugged. “Today was a half-day at school. I’ve been home since noon.”
“Right. I forgot. And I’m not self-absorbed, just super busy.”
“When is Piper’s baby due? I’m looking forward to having my dad back.”
He draped an arm across her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “I’m sorry it’s been so nuts this past month, but her baby isn’t due until June.”
Alyssa’s head drooped. “Oh.”
“Come on, kiddo. It’s not that bad. All the electrical work is finished, so I won’t be working so much. Besides, I’m here now. Let’s make the most of it. What’s for dessert?”
“Aunt Jill is bringing it.”
His mouth watered. Jill had a knack for desserts. “Any idea what it is?”
“Tiramisu, I think.”
“Fancy. She must really like Nate.”
The doorbell rang. “I need to get that.”
“Okay.” She placed the golden brown bread on a cooling rack.
Before he even left the room, Gabe, Nate and Jill walked into the kitchen. “Oh, it’s just you.”
Jill laughed. “Thanks a lot!”
“He’s nervous about Hope.” Alyssa pulled open the fridge. “What does everyone want to drink?” She frowned. “Dad, you didn’t stop at the general store like I asked, did you?”
His face heated. That was the reason he’d stopped downtown, but he had gotten distracted when he spotted the flower lady. “I’m sorry.” He turned to face Jill and Nate. “I was on beverage duty and forgot.”
Jill only smiled.
“Water’s fine with me,” Nate said. “You have a nice place, Derrick.”
“Thanks.”
“As soon as Hope gets here, we can eat.” Alyssa flicked off the stove.
His cell rang. He checked the caller ID. “Everything okay, Hope?”
“No. I’m afraid not. At the last minute I had to run to the mainland to meet with my architect, and I missed the ferry. I will get there as soon as I can.”
Disappointment washed through him. She’d be at least another hour.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Hope pulled up to Derrick’s house and rushed to the door. She was so late. The ferry had a problem that needed to be fixed before it could take another run. She should have been here an hour ago. To make matters worse, her cell phone battery died right after she called Derrick to let him know she’d missed the ferry, so she couldn’t call back and let him know to expect her even later. She raised her hand to knock, but it swung open before she could.
“You made it!” Alyssa hugged her. “My dad is a nervous wreck. When you didn’t show up and he couldn’t reach you on your cell . . .” She shuddered. “Go easy on him.” She turned to walk away.
“Wait!” Hope said in a stage whisper. “Why is he nervous?”
She looked over her shoulder presumably to where Derrick waited. “You know my mom died in a car accident, right?”
Hope nodded.
“Well, she was rushing home from an appointment on the mainland. She took a corner too fast and lost control. I think maybe—”
“No need to say more. I understand.” She followed Alyssa into the family room.
Jill jumped up from her seat on the sofa, rushed to Hope, and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad you made it. We were worried. You should’ve called.”
“My phone died.” She had no idea how upset they would be or she’d have borrowed someone’s phone and had Piper call, since that was the only number she had memorized.
“Is Dad still in his office?”
Jill nodded. “You better get in there, Hope, before he has a meltdown.”
“I’m so sorry to upset all of you.” She looked past Jill to Nate. “I hope you at least ate dessert.”
Nate shook his head. “It’s good to see you again.”
Jill pushed her toward the hall. “Hurry.”
Hope’s heart pounded. This was not how she’d expected tonight to go. She knocked softly on his office door. “Derrick. It’s Hope.”
The door yanked open. He pulled her in his arms. “I was so worried.” His heart pounded against her ear.
“I know. I’m sorry.” She explained what happened.
He finally released her. “You need a portable charger. I’m buying you one tomorrow.”
“Thanks, but I can take care of it. Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for overreacting.”
“I understand. Alyssa told me about your wife.”
His lips pressed together in a frown.
To see him so torn up, she realized exactly how much he cared about her, and she was doubly glad she’d decided to stay on the island. But if they were going to have a relationship, one thing needed to change. She took his hand and drew him over to a loveseat beside his desk. “Have you ever prayed about your fear?”
He turned startled eyes toward her. “This has never happened before.”
“But I guarantee it will happen again. Alyssa is getting her driver’s license soon, and if you are anything like my dad, you will worry every time she gets behind the wheel of a car.”
“I thought your dad was a cop.”
“Exactly. He’s seen too much.”
“Oh.”
“Not too long ago, after I met you and Alyssa, I asked hi
m how he handled having a teenage driver.” She chuckled. “He admitted he had his fellow officers keep an eye out for me, and if there was a problem they were to call him. Thankfully, he never received a call.”
“But my dad wasn’t a Christian at that time, as you are. You can ask the Lord to help you. He will take that fear away if you let Him.”
***
Derrick settled deeper into the loveseat in his office and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. “I did pray, but I couldn’t stop worrying.”
He took Hope’s hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “What you’re suggesting is easier said than done, but thank you for that reminder. I’ll try to do better next time.” Should there be a next time. He sincerely hoped there wouldn’t. In the meantime, he planned to enjoy every second he could with this woman who had captured his heart. “Let’s get you some food.”
“Oh, good. I was hoping you’d remember. I’m starving.” She bounded off the couch, dragging him along with her.
He chuckled. “Remind me to never get between you and food.”
“Ha-ha. It so happens lunch was eight hours ago.”
“Then why are you in here with me? You should have gone straight to the kitchen.” He pulled her forward and into the kitchen. “I hope you like chicken stew.”
“Even if I didn’t, I’d eat it.”
He ladled a generous serving from the pot that had been left to simmer on the stove. “Would you like homemade bread? For a beginner, I think Alyssa did a great job on it.”
“Sure.” Hope took the bowl and the sliced bread he handed her to the table and sat. “This smells delicious.”
“Thanks!” Alyssa walked into the room and sat across from her. “Do you mind if we have dessert while you eat?”
“Not at all.”
Hand-in-hand, Jill and Nate meandered into the room. It looked like his sister and Nate had fallen hard for one another. He preferred to take things slow, but he wouldn’t mind a little more handholding himself. His fear dissipated and left in its place an acute awareness that he wanted Hope to be a part of his life for a very long time.
Hope and Alyssa giggled over something.
“What’d I miss?”
Hope tilted her head toward his sister and Nate who were clearly lost in themselves.
“Where’s Gabe?” He’d just realized the teen was missing.
“He needed to go home,” Alyssa said. “Aunt Jill, the tiramisu is yummy. Will you teach me to make it?”
“Sure, sweetie.” Jill’s focus never left Nate.
Derrick pretended to gag himself.
Hope chuckled. “Behave yourself. I’m sure you’ve felt the same way at some point.”
“Sure, but I don’t act like a love-struck teenager.”
“That’s what you think,” Alyssa said, rolling her eyes.
He shot her a warning look.
His daughter raised her hands. “Sorry.” She stood and rinsed her dish. “I’m going to my room.”
“So early?” Hope asked.
“It’s been a super long day, and I’m tired. Goodnight, everyone.”
Hope looked at him with questioning eyes. “Is that normal?”
“My daughter has never been a night owl.” He was glad too, since it made it easier to get her to school on time.
Hope leaned back in the chair and patted her stomach. “I’m stuffed. Think I’ll pass on dessert.”
If he had to sit in the room much longer with the lovebirds, he might lose his dinner. “Want to take a walk?”
“It’s dark out”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from the bats.”
Her face paled. “There are bats here too?”
“I was only teasing. I have never seen a bat flying around my home.” He’d never forget her priceless reaction to the little brown bat they’d encountered at the B&B.
“In that case. A walk sounds nice. Besides, I have something to tell you.”
Curiosity piqued, he stood and cleared the dishes. “You ready?”
“Yep.”
He reached for her hand, his heart racing. Okay, so maybe he was a little love-struck too.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Glad for the cover of darkness, Hope gave Derrick’s hand a light squeeze before pulling hers from his grasp and tucking her hands into her pockets. Her brain turned to mush when he held her hand, and she needed to think clearly.
“I have something to tell you.” It’s funny how earlier today she couldn’t wait to share her news, but now uncertainty gripped her.
“So you’ve said. Is something wrong?” Concern edged Derrick’s voice.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “The thing is, I like Wildflower Island, and I’ve grown very fond of the people here.” She licked her lips. “I realized something else on Easter that I didn’t mention earlier today.”
“What was that?” he asked softly.
Why was this so hard to say? “The Lord showed me that He can create beauty anywhere—including in my wounded heart. I’ve been so afraid of being hurt again that I’ve wrapped myself in a cocoon. You broke through that cocoon and made me see what I’m missing.”
He slid an arm across her shoulder and snuggled her close. “I’m very happy to hear that. But I’m really curious what happened on Easter to open your eyes. Whatever it was must have been momentous.”
She wrapped both arms around him in a side hug and rested her cheek against the side of his chest. “I only told you part of what happened while I was decorating the cookies. God showed me that He can take something that appears plain and void of anything nice and make it beautiful. That’s how my heart felt after my mother did what she did. I felt a void inside me—unable to feel anything. I shut down. But now, everything is different. I feel alive again, and my brain won’t shut off. I have so many ideas for sculptures.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m so happy for you. If there is anything you need, let me know.”
“You’ve been a huge help already by agreeing to allow me to work here. I can’t wait to surprise Piper with a sign for the boathouse.”
“You mentioned growing fond of the people here. Does that mean you’re going to stay on permanently?”
“I hope to. I’m going to sell the lot, or put my house in Tacoma on the market as soon as possible. I’m still thinking through my decision.”
***
Two weeks later, Hope enlisted Derrick to hang the new sign on the boathouse. Sunshine glinted off the bronze colored metal sculpture. She’d spent last weekend making it but had been too busy working off the island to get it over to the resort. She was more than pleased with the end result. The playful sculpture with a stork inside a canoe would forever remind her of Piper. Hopefully Piper would love it.
Derrick stood by her side with an arm draped across her shoulder. “You should send a picture to Piper.”
“I did. She hasn’t replied.”
“That’s because I had to see it in person.” Piper ambled toward them.
Hope rushed to her friend’s side. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see it for myself. This is history in the making.” Piper’s face glowed as she peered at the art above the door. “It’s some of your best work. Thank you for doing this for me. I know how difficult it was for you.”
Hope’s face heated. “You’re welcome and thanks for asking me to do it. I hated to say no to you. Your request forced me to make a big change in my life.”
Piper raised a brow. “It’s different than your other work. Still whimsical, but it has more depth. I love it.” She faced Hope. “Seeing this is worth risking the wrath of Chase when he hears I came here.”
“You think so, huh?” Chase approached wearing a loving smile.
Piper planted her hands where her waist should be and let out a breath of exasperation. “How’d you know where to find me?”
“I have spies all over the island.” He waggled his brows then kissed her and
held her close. “Actually I was already here working in one of the plant beds when I saw you.”
Hope chuckled and moved to Derrick’s side. She lowered her voice. “I think this is our cue to leave.”
“Good idea,” he whispered back. “I see an open paddle boat. Shall we?”
Her stomach leaped. “I’ve always wanted to do that! See you love birds later.”
Derrick grasped her hand. “Let’s get moving.” They went into the boat barn. He sorted things out with the guy manning the counter while she looked at souvenirs. A minute later Derrick sauntered over to her. “You ready?”
“Yep. Looks like Chase already whisked Piper home. I can’t believe she drove over here.”
“Then you don’t know her like I thought you did.”
“Good point. That act of rebellion was classic Piper. Exactly like her showing up at the B&B on Easter. But I know she would never do anything to harm her baby. Her blood pressure must have improved.”
“Either that or she was going stir crazy and figured a little jaunt over here wasn’t a big deal. She lives close enough she could have walked.”
“True.” She motioned toward the boat. “You still want to do this?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been hoping to ride in one of these since I started working here but never had a good excuse.” He kissed her forehead. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” She stepped into the boat then rested her feet on the pedals and waited for Derrick to get settled.
“Here we go.”
Together they pedaled away from the shore. A few other boaters were in the water but steered clear of them. They made their way to the middle of the lake and stopped.
Hope took in the sites around her. Fir trees surrounded three sides of the lake. The resort took up one side, and the architecture fit so nicely with the rustic surroundings. Piper was an amazing architect in her own right. If her friend weren’t on bed rest, she’d have hired her to draw up the design for her house rather than Duncan. Then again, Piper would have enjoyed it, but what was done was done. “It’s pretty out here.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Island Hope (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 4) Page 13
