by Kay Correll
But how? She saw a paper inside the box and unfolded it. It had the invoice with no prices on it along with a note.
* * *
I know you’d been looking at these. Thought you’d enjoy them. Happy painting. Ben.
* * *
She sat down in surprise. He’d actually been listening to her when she talked about these? And remembered? What a nice surprise.
But then, sending presents wasn’t going to change anything. She still needed to feel wanted. To not have to worry about him cancelling on her all the time. She needed to feel… appreciated.
But it was a nice present. She took it to her studio and unpacked the paints, carefully adding them to her arrangement of supplies.
She smiled in spite of herself.
He’d at least listened to her and paid attention. That was something.
David had kept himself busy most of the day. A long walk on the beach. Yes, past Ruby’s house, but he’d seen no sign of her or Mischief. He went to Lighthouse Point and contemplated testing the town legend and making a wish. But he was a bit too skeptical for that.
He decided to have a light lunch at the inn. Didn’t want to ruin his appetite for Ruby’s dinner tonight. Lillian seated him at a table in the corner, with a view of the beach. Perfect.
She handed him a menu. “Jay’s special today is a Reuben sandwich. If you’re a fan of Reubens, you should get it. It’s fabulous.”
“I was thinking something light like a salad.”
Lillian nodded. “We’ve got some delicious salads on the menu. My favorite is the one with toasted pecans and dried cranberries.” She paused and looked at him for a moment, an uncertain look on her face. But then, as quickly as it had crossed her face, it was gone.
He saw determination replace the uncertain look.
“So… I hear you’re going to Ruby’s for dinner tonight.”
“I am. Looking forward to it.”
“She’s looking forward to cooking for you.” Lillian paused. “But, you know, she’s had a rough few years. She’s… well, she’s a strong woman, but she’s been through a lot. I’d hate to see her hurt.”
“It’s just dinner.”
“Is it?” Lillian cocked her head.
That was a good question, wasn’t it? Was it just dinner? Or was it more? Did he want it to be more? He let out a long, drawn-out breath. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Ruby. She’s a great lady. I enjoy spending time with her. She’s easy to talk to and… well…” He shrugged. “I like her.”
Lillian searched his face, probing, and he kept himself—just barely—from squirming in his seat. She finally nodded. “Okay… just… be careful with her heart.”
He watched her head back to the kitchen. Ruby sure had some protective people around her. Her son. Lillian.
She was a lucky woman. And he had no plans of hurting her. None at all. They would just enjoy some time together and then…
Then what?
Then he’d head back home. And she would never know his secret and never give him that look. The look that so many people had given him the last few years.
The look of sympathy.
Of pity.
Of sadness.
Either that or people avoided him like he was contagious. As far as he knew, cancer wasn’t a communicable disease.
Lillian smiled when Sara came into The Nest.
“What’s all this?” Sara asked.
“It’s all your favorite foods. It’s been so long since I cooked for you, I thought I’d surprise you with dinner tonight.”
“Oh, Aunt Lil, you shouldn’t have.” Sara grinned. “But I’m really glad you did. It’s been forever since we’ve had a family meal together, just the two of us.”
“I know, and that’s wrong. I know we’re both busy, but we should find time for dinners together.” Lillian nodded toward the counter. “Pour us some wine and we’ll go sit on the deck while everything finishes baking.”
They went out on the deck, sat on the glider, and Lillian tucked the teal blanket around them.
Sara smiled. “I remember this blanket. It was such a comfort to me so many times when I was growing up here. Like some kind of magic that could soothe me when things went wrong.” She ran her fingers across the fibers.
“I feel that way about it too.”
Sara turned to her. “I have so many wonderful memories of growing up here with you. I don’t say it often enough, but I’m so grateful you took me in when Mom and Dad died. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I was so lost, so sad. But, eventually, you made it better. I always felt so safe here. So loved.”
“I do love you, Sara.”
Lillian was once again acutely aware of how grateful she was that she’d had the chance to raise Sara. What would her life be like now if she hadn’t had that responsibility and honor?
She put her arm around Sara’s shoulder and her niece leaned against her. It was one of those moments that she wished she could wrap up and keep forever, unwrapping it over and over again when she needed to feel this love so strongly.
They sat and sipped their wine in silence, just happy to be together, to be a family.
Chapter 16
Ruby heard the knock at her door and glanced in the mirror one last time. The reflection still didn’t give her any answers. Well, David was here, so it was too late to back out now. She tugged open the door.
He stood there with a bouquet of flowers and a smile. “Good evening.”
She took the offered bouquet. “They’re beautiful, thank you.” She stepped aside. “Come in.”
He entered the room and she was immediately aware of his presence. Of everything about him. He filled the room with life and masculine energy.
Mischief trotted into the room and greeted David with tail wags.
“Hey there, buddy.” David reached down to pet the dog. He looked so at home here…
“Ah. Um, come on back to the kitchen. I’ll put these in water.”
He followed her to the kitchen and she opened the cabinet that held her vases. She had quite a collection of them. She reached for one of her favorites, but then stopped. Barry had given her that one when she’d found it at an antique shop they’d gone to. She settled on an old mason jar. She loved flowers in mason jars. She carefully arranged the blossoms and set the arrangement on the table, tucked back a bit, so it wouldn’t be between them and blocking their view of each other or impeding their conversation.
You know, if she could find words.
“It smells great.”
Food was a safe topic. “It should be ready soon. Would you like a drink first?”
“I would.”
“I opened some red wine, if that’s okay?”
“Perfect.”
She busied herself getting their drinks while he lounged against a counter just like he belonged here in her kitchen. She swallowed. She was the one who had invited him to come here so she just needed to get over it.
“You okay?” A frown creased David’s face.
“Yes, sure.” She handed him the drink.
He didn’t look convinced.
She sighed. Might as well tell him honestly what she was thinking. “It’s just that I’ve never had a man here to the house before. I mean, who wasn’t Barry. Not alone with a man. It’s a bit different… strange.”
“I’m sure it is. You were here for so long with your husband. It must be very difficult. If you’ve changed your mind about having me here…”
“No. No, I haven’t changed my mind. I’m glad you’re here. And I really enjoyed making a big meal. I hope you’re hungry. And I made two pies. Couldn’t decide which one I wanted to bake most. Apple and pecan.”
“My two favorites.”
She looked at him skeptically.
“No, seriously.” He crossed his heart.
She laughed. “You can have some of both, then.”
The awkward feeling that had been weighing on her shoulders was broken and swept
away into the night. They laughed and talked like old friends. And David did have a piece of each pie. Large pieces.
He helped her clear the table and insisted on helping with the dishes. They stood side by side at the sink as she rinsed the dishes and he placed them into the dishwasher. They chatted the whole time like old friends. Easy, comfortable conversation.
When they finished, she grabbed a wrap to chase away any chill and they headed out to the deck with the last of their wine. They settled onto the worn, comfortable wooden glider. The stars flooded the sky above them. She draped the knitted wrap around her shoulders and settled back, content.
“That was the best meal I’ve ever had.” David patted his stomach.
She smiled. “I doubt it was the best one ever.”
“Pretty close. You’ve given me two home-cooked meals since I met you. Which is two more than I’ve had in… well, a really long time. My cooking skills leave something to be desired.”
“I love cooking. And baking. Especially baking. My mom loved cooking and taught me so much.”
“Well, she was an excellent teacher. You’re a fabulous cook.”
She basked in his praise, glad to have someone around who appreciated her efforts. And his company. She enjoyed his company. And thankfully tonight, after the first awkward moments, after she told him how strange it was to have a man at her house, things had gone great. Better than great. She’d had such a lovely time. She was still having a lovely time.
“Have you ever noticed how many stars you can see up there?” David nodded skyward, swinging his arm up in an arc above him. “I think I could sit and stare up at the stars for hours. I used to know all the names of the constellations, though those facts are long gone from my memory now. I do know that’s the Big Dipper.” He pointed.
“I enjoy sitting out here and watching the stars, too. Or the sunsets. I love the sunsets. It’s like each night the sky presents me with a new, incredible gift. Sometimes I think it’s going to be a great one and it just kind of fades into the night. Sometimes I think it will be a nothing sunset, with hardly any clouds, but then it surprises me when clouds appear out of nowhere and brilliant colors get tossed across the sky. Always keeps me guessing. I think sitting outside at sunset is one of my favorite times of the day.”
“Really? I’m pretty much a morning guy. Love getting up before sunrise, before most of the world is stirring. I enjoy watching the sun slowly light up the sky.”
“I’ll grudgingly give you sunrise as second place to sunsets.” She laughed. “Anyway, I think those extraordinary, ordinary moments are some of the best moments of our lives. We just need to take time and appreciate them.
“I’m learning that.” David turned to her with a relaxed, warm smile on his face. “I’m sure glad we got past our nervous first date stage.”
“Me, too.”
“So, I guess that means we’re all finished with awkward?” He looked at her and then reached out and took her hand in his.
A thrill rushed through her at his touch.
“I really enjoy spending time with you. You’ve been an unexpected pleasure on my trip here.” His eyes shone with sincerity.
Which only reminded her that it was just a vacation for him, that he’d be leaving. She looked at him. “So, how much longer do you plan on staying here?”
“I’ll tell you something, Ruby Hallet. I’m in absolutely no hurry to leave.” He reached over and touched her face.
She caught her breath.
“And another thing I’m thinking. I’d like to kiss you if that’s okay with you. I know it’s only been a week, but, woman… I really, really would like to kiss you.”
War raged through her. She’d only known him a week. She hardly knew him. What was she doing? Did she want him to kiss her?
He sat there waiting for her answer.
And then she knew. “Yes, David Quinn. I’d like very much for you to kiss me.”
He leaned over and gently kissed her lips and her thoughts ricocheted through her mind. She silenced them, just wanting to savor the moment. Time enough later to sort out her thoughts.
He pulled away with a sigh. “That was as good as I thought it would be.”
“It was?”
“Come to think of it, I’m not sure. I think maybe I should kiss you again to make certain.”
“Oh, goodness, we want to make sure you’re certain.” She nodded gravely and felt the hint of a smile teasing the corners of her mouth.
So he kissed her again. Then he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side while they watched the magic of the stars twinkling above them.
“You know what, Ruby Hallet?”
“What?”
“Just sitting here with you, looking at the stars. I think this is one of those extraordinary, ordinary moments you were talking about.”
Chapter 17
Ruby woke up early, a smile on her face. Mischief stood up on the bed and stretched, wagging his tail in greeting. “Come on, boy. Let’s get up. It’s going to be a glorious day.”
She hummed while she made coffee and went about her morning chores. She took Mischief for a long walk, hoping to run into David, but no such luck.
She felt guilty that she didn’t feel guilty about kissing David last night. How was that for some twisted thinking? The strangeness of having him in her house had worn off quickly and the whole night had been special.
She sat and knitted for a while when they came back from their walk, working on a baby sweater and booties that she planned on donating to the women’s shelter. Mary had inspired her to work on more charity knitting. A pretty baby sweater could be like a warm hug to an infant who needed it at a tough time in its mother’s life.
She walked over to Charming Inn early in the afternoon for The Yarn Society’s baking spree to make cookies for the Festival of Lights. She went into the kitchen at the inn and found Lillian there getting out containers of flour and sugar.
“I guess I’m a little early.” She walked over to where Lillian was setting up.
“No problem. I figured if I could get everything ready, we could jump right in. And Jay gave me some recipes to use. He has recipes for very large batches of cookies.”
“That sounds perfect.”
Lillian paused for a moment and studied her. “You look… different.”
She self-consciously tucked a piece of hair back. “I do?”
“You look… happy. Kind of glowing.” Lillian narrowed her eyes. “Is this about last night? Did you have a good time with David?”
She blushed. “I… I did.”
“Ha, I knew it.”
“It was kind of awkward for a few minutes. It was strange to have some man other than Barry there in my kitchen. But I talked to him about it and things went great after that. He’s very understanding.”
“Doesn’t hurt that he’s good looking, too.” Lillian smiled. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
“I really did… and…”
“And?”
“Well, he kissed me. Me. Being kissed on a date after all these years.” She felt flushed when she remembered the feel of David’s lips
Lillian put down the cookie sheet she was holding. “And how do you feel about that?”
“I feel… happy. I have such a good time with him. I… like him.”
Lillian frowned slightly. “But he’s leaving soon, right?”
“He said he’s not in any hurry to leave just yet.” And that pleased her. Pleased her a lot.
A knowing smile flitted across Lillian’s face. “I knew he liked you. I could tell when I talked to him yesterday.”
“You talked to him?”
“At lunch. Just a friendly reminder to him not to trifle with you.”
She laughed. “Trifle?”
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
She knew there was a good chance she was going to get hurt. Or at least sad when he left. Because he did have a life back home. But f
or now, she was just going to concentrate on enjoying his company.
Dorothy and Mary came rushing into the kitchen. “We’re here.” Dorothy slipped off her jacket.
“I’m all ready to help,” Mary added.
A few others from The Yarn Society joined them and they baked cookies all afternoon until Jay came in and insisted he had to get going on dinner prep. He’d done as much early as he could, but he needed his kitchen back.
Slowly everyone left Jay to his kitchen with boxes of cookies stacked high in the pantry for the festival this weekend.
David had slept nine hours last night, but he was still tired this morning. He got up and got ready and sipped on a cup of coffee, hoping it would perk him up. He grabbed lunch at the inn, then returned to his room and read for a bit. Restlessness rode through him in waves. He jumped up and paced back and forth in his room.
He should call. But then… maybe it wasn’t a good time.
But he wanted to call.
And he didn’t know why it was suddenly so important to call.
He just wanted…
… to hear his son’s voice.
He finally snatched up his phone and called his son’s number. He got voicemail, of course, but at least he did get to hear his son’s voice, even if it only said, “Hi, this is Corey, leave a message.”
“Hey, Corey. Just called to… say hi. Haven’t talked to you in a while. I’m in Florida for a bit. Staying on Belle Island at Charming Inn. Anyway, give me a call when you get a chance.”
He hung up, wondering if his son would actually call him back. If Corey didn’t call within a few days, he’d call again. It was way past time to make amends and try to have some kind of relationship with the grown version of his son since he’d totally botched it with the boy version.
Suddenly he needed to get outside. Let the breeze blow all his regrets about his life out to sea. Soothe him from guilt over all the poor choices he’d made.
The minute he stepped onto the sand, the beach began to work its magic. The guilt eased. The regrets were there but weren’t taunting him. He filled his lungs with the fresh salt air.
