Of course, Mark’s energy began flagging before they reached their destination.
“I’m hungry,” he complained.
“Sorry, pal,” Isaac said. “I didn’t bring snacks.”
DeeDee would have remembered to do that.
Mark slumped to the sidewalk. “I’m hungry and I’m tired.”
“Get up.” Irritation made Isaac’s voice tight. “You can’t sit in the middle of the street. I’ll find a place to buy a snack.”
“I’m hungry and I’m tired,” Mark repeated.
Isaac glanced around. A few people were going to and from cars, some young guys were jogging in the distance, and, on the other side of the street, a woman pushed a stroller, a preschooler toddling along next to her.
No one was looking at them.
What the hell.
Feeling slightly foolish, Isaac got down onto the sidewalk, facing opposite, so their backs were against each other. “Lean on me, Marco,” he said. “We’ll take a break and come up with a plan.”
“You’re my chair, and I’m your chair,” Mark said.
Isaac waved to the woman with the stroller. She smiled and waved back, like it was no big deal to see two grown men sitting in the middle of the sidewalk.
A sign caught his eye.
“Gingerbread and Dessert Factory,” he read. Perhaps not the best choice for a nutritious, low-fat snack, but it would certainly improve Mark’s mood.
Mark looked up. “The pie store. It’s the pie store!” He got to his feet awkwardly, splaying his hand on the ground to lever himself up. “It’s my favorite place. I love the pie store!”
Who wouldn’t? Wonderful smells emanated from the store, even from the street. The window displays reminded him of the chocolate shop Mark so loved, in that they were inviting and impossible to walk past.
Mark eagerly pushed through the doors ahead of Isaac.
“Sara Maria?” he called. “Are you here?”
What? Mark knew someone here?
“Hello, Mark.” A woman came around the corner, wiping her hands on a towel. “I’m sorry, Sara Maria’s not working today. But these apple turnovers are fresh from the oven, if that helps.” She turned to Isaac. “Hello. I’m Rachel. You must be Mark’s brother. We love it when Mark and DeeDee visit.”
Isaac put out his hand. “I didn’t realize they’d met so many people.”
“We’re a friendly town. You on your way to the shelter?” she asked Mark.
This was a regular stop? DeeDee had been feeding him baked goods and chocolate—and still somehow managed to get Mark to drop a few pounds? Impressive.
Mark nodded. “I’m hungry. I miss Sara Maria.”
The woman took a pair of tongs and chose a small pastry from the tray under the counter. “I’ll tell her you stopped by. Good to meet you, Isaac.”
The interaction and calories boosted Mark’s mood dramatically.
“So, you’ve got a friend named Sara Maria?” Isaac ventured.
Mark nodded vigorously. “Uh-huh. She makes pies. She smells good, like cimmanin. I like her very much. DeeDee likes her, too. DeeDee doesn’t eat pie, though. Look, Isaac! There’s my friend Kadoka.”
Kadoka?
“Hey, Mark. Where’s DeeDee?” A slender, dark-haired woman was standing behind a chain-link fence, brushing out a large dog. Or a small horse. Isaac wasn’t sure which it was.
“Gone,” Mark said. “Can I pet the am-i-nals?”
“Of course, you can.” She gave the dog-horse a pat and stepped out of the enclosure. She wiped her hand on her jeans, and then held it out. “Hey, Isaac. We met briefly at the chocolate shop. I’m Dakota Parker. Kadoka, to Mark. Welcome to Whiskers and Paw Pet Pals. Are you looking to adopt a pet?”
He shook her hand, recalling the incident. “Not today but one day. Maybe.”
Dakota grinned. “We’ll see. Follow me. I’ll show you where Mark and DeeDee usually start.”
She led them to the cat room. Cages lined the walls, some occupied, others empty. Tall, carpet-lined climbing structures stood here and there with felines of all sizes, shapes, and colors peeking out from inside tubes, or hanging off platforms.
“Mr. Fluffy Legs!” Mark cried, moving toward a mangy-looking beast with straggly grey fur. “You’re still here!”
“You bet he is, Mark.” Dakota turned to Isaac. “Mr. Fluffy Legs is what we call a Lonely Heart. He’s been here a long time, waiting for his forever home.”
“No kidding,” Isaac said. “He’s not contagious, is he?”
Mr. Last Legs would be more appropriate, from what he could see.
“He’s perfectly healthy,” Dakota said with a laugh. “He’s had a rough life, that’s all. He’s picky about who he lets touch him. But he and Mark have a special bond. I’m glad you’re here to see it.”
The cat arched his back, yawned, then pressed his body against Mark’s face as the boy gathered him in his arms.
Isaac was relieved when he put the cat down.
“Now we scoop the poop,” he informed Isaac.
“Really? You and DeeDee do this?” He had a hard time picturing that.
“They’re a huge help.” Dakota handed Mark a pair of gloves. “It takes an army of volunteers, stopping in for an hour or two at a time, to run this place. Every little bit helps.”
Isaac donned gloves and helped Mark with the tasks. It was nice to see his brother being the teacher, for once. The activity, both mental and physical, was good for him. But contributing and participating in a cause brought a glow of pride to Mark’s face that warmed Isaac’s heart.
How insightful of DeeDee to bring him here.
After the cats, they visited the dogs. Mark let them jump all over him, giggling and howling like one of the pack. No wonder his clothes were looking a little worse for wear. Good thing DeeDee had purchased sturdy replacements.
“Thank you,” he said to Dakota when Mark showed signs of flagging again. “One day when we’re ready for a pet, we’ll definitely be back.”
A puppy, something smart, responsive, quiet, and clean. That’s what they’d get.
“Anytime,” she said. “Mark, I’ll see you and DeeDee soon, right?”
“Right.” Mark waved in the direction of the cat room. “Bye, Mr. Fluffy Legs!”
Not a flea-bitten barn cat with trust issues.
Chapter Thirteen
Two days later, DeeDee forced herself to leave the ranch and head back to work with Mark. Cynthia was following doctor’s orders to the letter and insisted that between Chad, Mom, and Norm, she had all the tender loving care she could handle.
DeeDee knew that saving the show would help Cynthia more than her useless hovering. She could implement her plan around Mark’s schedule, anyway. But still, she felt torn.
“It’s good to see you again.” Isaac paused in the doorway of his office. “How’s your sister?”
The concern shining in his dark eyes cracked open a tightness in her chest that she preferred to keep closed.
“Scared, I think. But still pregnant.”
She remembered how Cynthia and Chad had held each other, their shoulders shaking. That was what happened when people cared. They got hurt. She swallowed, not wanting Isaac to see her distress.
“I’m so sorry. It’s a loss for you, too.” Isaac sounded genuine. Looked it too, his dark eyes soft with concern. “How are you doing?”
“Me? Fine. Great.” It wasn’t her baby who had died, after all. “You must have dialed the florist the second you got back in the house. That was nice of you to send the flowers. She appreciated it. But you didn’t have to do it. You barely know her.”
His brow wrinkled. “I did it because I wanted to. It’s kind of a social convention. No big deal.”
“Of course.” She pushed past him and hung her jacket on the coat hook. “Don’t worry, I won’t let this interfere with my attention to Mark. Has he had his breakfast?”
“Not yet. Deirdre, are you sure you’re okay?”
“I owed you that much.” He met her gaze calmly. “My initial reaction was selfish and thoughtless. As soon as I realized it, I corrected my action. Nothing’s more important than family. Of course I’ll support you in being there for yours. Did it bother her to receive flowers from her sister’s employer?”
“No, of course not. They’re beautiful. But she wondered…”
His eyebrows lifted. “Yes?”
She decided to be blunt. “Cynthia wondered if you sent the flowers because of me.”
A slight smile tickled his lips. “What if I did?”
She wasn’t expecting that. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” Isaac said slowly, “that you are kind to my brother, so naturally, I want to be kind to your sister in return.”
“Oh.” Nothing more than reciprocity, then. “In that case, thank you. Again. Very thoughtful of you.”
“I’m glad you think so. I appreciate everything you’re doing for Mark, Deirdre. And for me. I went to the shelter with him yesterday. He loves it there.”
“He loves Mr. Fluffy Legs.” She grimaced. “Don’t ask me how that happened. But I think there’s a very ugly cat in your future.”
“Not if I can help it.” He thumped the heel of his hand to his forehead. “That’s the sorriest creature I’ve ever seen.”
“Might be why Mark loves him.”
“He certainly recognizes the outcasts. But seriously, I’m grateful for how you’ve introduced him to new people and places. It’s done wonders for his self-esteem.” He paused. “I think he’s met more people in Marietta than I have.”
Was that loneliness in his voice?
“You should come with us on our walks,” she said. “You can’t help but meet people that way.”
He looked away. “Maybe. Thanks. Listen, Deirdre, I hope you know that if you need anything from me, all you have to do is ask.”
There it was again, that little burst of joy she didn’t know what to do with. Where was the line between doing things for others and getting trapped in a lifetime of obligation?
It was so much easier to be selfish.
So much safer.
“On that note,” she said, moving away from uncomfortable emotional territory, “I need to hit up a couple of local businesses for donations. Is it okay if I combine it with Mark’s walk?”
Isaac’s expression clouded. “He might make things difficult for you.”
“One of our stops will be Copper Mountain Chocolates, so I don’t think he’ll mind. Since this project is to benefit that alternative program Cynthia told you about for people with special needs, I think having Mark along would be a bonus.”
Isaac crossed his arms. “You want to use my brother as a prop for charity?”
DeeDee crossed her own arms. “Weren’t we just talking about how great it is that he’s meeting new people?”
“Under certain circumstances, yes. But if you’ve got business to attend to, he might get bored or frustrated. That won’t do either of you any good.”
“He’s pretty decent company and not as prone to embarrassing displays as you seem to think.”
Isaac’s lips tightened. He looked away. “Easy to say when you haven’t seen one.”
DeeDee rolled her eyes. “Whatever. He can stay here and watch TV, if that’s what you’d prefer. You’re the boss.”
Biting back her irritation, she went upstairs to prepare Mark’s oatmeal. She and Isaac had been having a moment, and then he had to go all negative on her.
After being so nice, too.
She couldn’t figure him out.
So, she focused on Mark, instead. Simple, straightforward, affectionate Mark. No wonder people loved him.
They spent the next few hours unpacking the vast supply of dry and canned goods that had been tossed into boxes regardless of best-before dates.
“You, Marco, eat entirely too much processed foods,” she told him.
“This is my favorite of all.” He held up a box of microwaveable macaroni and cheese.
“That’s not food. It’s packaging material.”
At noon, she and Mark walked to the grocery store for vegetables and fruit. She made a game of arranging apple slices, almonds, cheddar cheese, and whole-grain crackers onto a tray for their lunch. Then, on a whim, she made up a third plate.
“Let’s take your brother a snack, shall we?”
Mark complied eagerly, carrying the plate downstairs in a careful walk. DeeDee pushed the office door open and peeked inside so as not to disturb Isaac.
He had his headset on and was deep in conversation via Skype. On a second monitor, he adjusted an Excel spreadsheet.
His hair was rumpled from the device and the tails of his white dress shirt had come free from the waistband of his jeans, but the crisp collar portrayed just the right amount of casual professionalism. He was in his element, deaf and blind to anything else around him.
DeeDee motioned for Mark to set the plate on the side table, and they backed out without a word.
After lunch, cleanup, tooth brushing, and a rest, she glanced outside. The afternoon sunshine could not have been more inviting.
“Ready for our walk?” she asked. She should never have mentioned to Isaac that they were going to make a few extra stops. This would be no different from the shelter, the bakery, the park, or the coffee shop.
“I’m tired,” he replied. “I wanna watch TV.”
She’d anticipated that. “I’ve got treats planned for you.”
His bottom lip pouched out, but she knew she’d snagged his attention. “What treats?”
“Something for now and something for later. Let’s put our shoes on, and then we’ll have the first treat. The second one is a surprise.” Given how much he liked Sage’s shop, it was a safe bet that her chocolate would be a powerful motivator.
As they put their shoes on, the door to Isaac’s office opened. “You guys heading out?”
“Places to go, people to see. Unless you still have objections?”
He didn’t respond.
Good. In her book, that meant approval. She pressed a tall plastic container into Mark’s hand. “Here’s your first treat.”
Mark looked doubtfully at the container. “What’s that?”
“It’s a smoothie. You’ll love it. It’s like a milkshake but better.”
It was a kale smoothie, but Mark didn’t need to know specifics.
“Why is it so green?”
“Because it’s special, just like you and me.” She took a long pull on the straw of her own container. “Delicious. I love being special. Don’t you?”
Mark took a hesitant sip, thought a moment, then took another. “Isaac’s special, too. Doesn’t he get one?”
DeeDee looked at Isaac. “I don’t know. Are you special, Isaac?”
Isaac took off his sexy glasses and rubbed his eyes. Then he blew out a breath and a tired smile broke over his face. “Sure, why not?” In a low smoky voice, he added, “Thanks for the fruit platter. You may have saved my life.”
Again, heat warmed her chest, pushing the irritation away. “That’s me, superhero with a paring knife. We’ll be back in an hour. Don’t worry about a thing, okay? We’ll be fine.” On a whim, she decided to try again. “You’re still welcome to join us, of course.”
Isaac frowned, glanced over his shoulder, then seemed to come to a decision. “Give me a minute to get changed.”
“Yes,” Mark said, clapping his hands. “Come with us, Isaac! You can share my smoothie!”
“Awesome.” DeeDee gave him a questioning glance. “You sure you have the time?”
His lip quirked up. “I’ve got the same amount as everyone else. Luckily, as someone recently reminded me,
I’m the boss.” He took a step closer. “I get to choose my priorities. Right now, I choose to spend that time with someone who’s important to me.”
Mark. He meant Mark.
So why was he looking at her like that?
*
Isaac kept a close eye on his brother as they made their way through the park, toward the downtown area. Dotted among the storefronts were terra-cotta pots filled with brilliant yellow-flowering shrubs, beneath which cheery snowdrops, crocuses, and early tulips proclaimed an end to the wintery weather. Mark chattered steadily to DeeDee, who stopped patiently with him to admire the blossoms or to greet a passerby.
Mark kept up easily, his fitness already improved by the daily walks. Focusing on his brother helped him not focus on DeeDee, though given her cheerful energy, that wasn’t easy. Every time she laughed, batted that thick ponytail off her shoulder, or bent to smell a flower, he found himself unable to look away.
He forced his attention back to Mark. Recently, he’d noticed a subtle change in Mark’s demeanor. He seemed perkier, more engaged. Isaac cast his eye over the red-and-white T-shirt with long sleeves and the dark-wash jeans DeeDee had bought for him. Between the clothes, the hair, and the trendy high-top sneakers, all Mark needed was a skateboard to fit in with half the young men in the park.
Points to DeeDee on that.
Still, too much change and stimulation could easily overwhelm Mark, especially in the witching hours of late afternoon. When they reached the storefront of Two Old Goats wine store, Isaac reached for his brother’s arm.
“We’ll stay out here. Okay, buddy? DeeDee needs to go inside to talk to the owners.”
Mark’s face fell. “I wanna go in.”
There was so much glass inside.
“Don’t be silly, Isaac.” DeeDee opened the door. “Come on in, both of you.”
She introduced herself, Isaac, and Mark to the proprietors, Clifford Yerks and Emerson Moore, a couple of retired wine aficionados living out their dream. The men shook hands with each of them, then listened avidly as DeeDee pitched her proposal with skill and polish.
As she ran through the details, Isaac realized he hadn’t appreciated the potential of this project. He’d been too distracted and embarrassed that day in the chocolate shop to do more than write Cynthia a check.
The Chocolate Comeback (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 7) Page 12
