Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2)

by Valerie Comer

  Chapter 2

  “Kelly!” Her coworker, Vanessa, greeted her the next morning when she walked in the Public Works Department’s entrance to Town Hall. “They’ve called a staff meeting first thing.”

  Sound casual. “Oh? What’s up?”

  Vanessa leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Have you seen our new head? Girl, that man is a splendid specimen.”

  “A what?” Not that Kelly hadn’t noticed. She chuckled. “Only you would use those words. So he’s not some graybeard here to put in the last few years before retirement?”

  “Are you kidding me? Wait until you see him.” Her co-worker glanced around and whispered, “Dibs.”

  Nice try. No way was Ian Vanessa’s type. “Aren’t we a being a tad bit possessive this morning? Over someone we just met?” Kelly eyed her friend. “If you’ve even met him in person yet.”

  Vanessa shivered. “You’ll see.” She looked past Kelly’s shoulder and her eyes widened. “There he is now.”

  Did she have to play this game? Either way, it was about to get embarrassing. She’d worked in this department for two years, keeping her head down, staying out of trouble, and doing her best for Elena. Surely no one could fire her for having met her new boss... and having their daughters hit it off. She groaned, earning her a worried look from her friend, before turning to glance over her shoulder.

  “Kelly! Good to see you this morning.” Ian strode toward her, a cute smile creasing his face.

  Vanessa’s elbow found her ribs. “You’ve already met?” she whispered. “I’m so gonna get even with you for this, girl. Letting me blather on.”

  “Good morning.” Should she call him Mr...? Man, she couldn’t even remember his surname at the moment. Her mind totally blanked at the warmth in his brown eyes. A sharp elbow in her back jogged words out of her. “Have you met Vanessa yet? She works with me on the landscaping crew.”

  Vanessa slid past Kelly and took Ian’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Tomlinson. I’m sure things will run smoothly in Public Works with you in charge.”

  Ian chuckled and quirked a grin at Kelly. “Well, I hope so. It will take a bit of time to settle in and get my bearings. I won’t keep everyone long for the meeting. I know you all have plenty to do.”

  Yeah, she did. And it didn’t involve daydreaming about her new boss. Feet on the planet, head out of the clouds — that was the way to keep her and Elena grounded. She’d been doing just fine for seven years.

  Thankfully, Ian turned to greet some of the other employees in their division and gestured everyone toward the lunchroom. That meant he wasn’t witness to Vanessa standing in front of her, hands on her hips, eyebrows raised. “When did you meet him?”

  Kelly sighed. “I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal of this. For all you know, he’s married.”

  Vanessa leaned closer. “Is he? Then he sure shouldn’t be looking at you like that, girl.”

  “No, he isn’t.” Not that Kelly knew his precise situation.

  “Which is it?”

  “He’s not married, but you didn’t know. You practically threw yourself at him.”

  “Did not, girl. That’s just my way.” Vanessa winked. “But, you know, if he were interested, I wouldn’t turn him down.”

  Nearly everyone had filed into the lunchroom by now. Kelly stepped around Vanessa, but her coworker held her arm in a tight grip. “Not so fast,” she said in a low voice. “How did you meet him?”

  “When I picked up Elena after school yesterday. He has a little girl in the same class, and they hit it off.” Wowza, that had been more than hitting it off. “He was there to get his daughter. The girls introduced us all around.” No point in mentioning the ice cream.

  “Well, isn’t that convenient.”

  “Maybe it depends on your point of view.” Kelly removed her arm from Vanessa’s grasp. “Come on. Let’s get this meeting over with so we can transplant petunias.”

  ~*~

  Ian had a hard time keeping his mind on learning the ropes of his new job all day. Town maps covered his wall, marked with various legends. A group of streets near downtown were due to be paved this summer and contractors needed to be confirmed.

  His secretary, a middle-aged woman named Rhonda, walked him through his day with utmost patience and probably two packs of gum. All the minty fresh he could handle.

  When she took her coffee break, he stayed in his office to look up the church’s number and made the call.

  “River of Life, Jessica speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Hi, Jessica. I’ve just moved to town and understand you are running an all-day children’s program through spring break. My daughter is in first grade, and I’d like to enroll her.”

  “Hmm.”

  He heard a chair roll across a hard surface then a few clicks.

  “We don’t have any openings for that age group. I’m sorry.”

  “But—” Now what was he supposed to do? “I’m sorry to hear that. I was thrilled when a friend mentioned this to me as a possibility.”

  “Most years we have more openings, but our youth pastor and a group of teens will be away on a missions trip next week, and that cuts our staff in half. Without the appropriate leadership ratio, we simply can’t add more children.”

  “I understand.” And he did, but it still didn’t help him any. “Do you have any other suggestions? Anyone in the church run a private daycare that might have space, for instance?”

  “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know of anyone.”

  Ian managed not to sigh deeply into the phone. It wasn’t Jessica’s problem. “Thank you for your time.”

  “I hope to see you at River of Life on Sunday morning. Church starts at ten thirty, and we have a terrific children’s church for your daughter’s age group.”

  “Thanks. I’ll consider it.” More than consider it, if that’s where Kelly and Elena attended, even though he felt a bit disgruntled at the moment. He set the receiver down, ending the call.

  Back to square one.

  The teenage girl next door was happy enough to come over mornings when he left for work to help Sophie get ready for school and walk her over on her way to the high school, but she wasn’t going to be around for spring break. Ian wondered if she was going on that missions trip.

  It took little time to call the daycares registered with the town and be told they were full, as Kelly had said. Unlike her, he didn’t have any vacation time coming to simply stay home with his daughter. What did Kelly do with Elena over summer vacation?

  Maybe he’d been overly hasty moving away from his parents. His network. He sank his head into his hands. “God? I’m sure you led me to Riverbend. Please don’t let my daughter suffer for this. Help me find a place for her with someone I can trust.”

  Wait a minute.

  He surged to his feet and strode over to the window. What would Kelly say? He definitely couldn’t ask her in front of the girls or she’d have no chance to make her own decision. But he knew where to find her, at least from 7:00 to 3:30.

  ~*~

  “Splendid specimen headed this way,” Vanessa said in a low voice.

  Kelly resisted the urge to glance up. She’d always found her coworker’s fixation on men amusing. Until today. “Otherwise known as our department head, or have you discovered a new splendid specimen in the last eight hours?”

  A manly chuckle came to her ears. That was so not Vanessa.

  Heat exploded up Kelly’s neck and across her face. No stinking way. Had she really said that out loud? And he’d overheard her? If the trowel in her gloved hand were a spade, she could dig a hole big enough to sink into in no time flat.

  “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  Definitely Ian.

  She turned slowly, staring at the ground, fervently wishing — praying — this was a dream. But no. Brushed suede shoes stood on the gravel base of the greenhouse. Tan slacks with a brown leather belt. A beige and tan striped shirt, open at the collar. A mouth
upturned in a grin. Brown eyes crinkled with amusement. “Hi.”

  Off to the side, Vanessa’s eyes danced as she covered her mouth.

  Ducking her head, Kelly shot daggers at her friend. Not that anything would suppress Vanessa.

  “So, this is the Public Works Greenhouse.” Ian glanced around him. “Care to show me the operation?”

  The man was perfectly groomed, and Kelly could be certain dirt smudges on her face matched those on the knees of her jeans. “I’m sure Vanessa would love to.”

  He quirked a grin. “But you’re the team leader, according to the personnel lists.” He swept a hand toward the entrance, his gaze still locked on hers. “If you’d be so kind.”

  There really wasn’t anything to explain. Weren’t the banks of seedlings evidence enough?

  “I’ll be over in C,” Vanessa murmured, brushing past them.

  That left her with Ian, a still-burning face, and an awkward silence. Did she have to look at him?

  “Splendid specimen? Can’t say I’ve ever been called that before.”

  Kelly’s humiliation was complete. “That’s what Vanessa calls half the men she sees. I was just mimicking her.” She scuffed the toe of her boot into the gravel.

  His voice lowered. “I think you’re very pretty, too.”

  The temperature on her face rose another ten degrees. “Uh, thanks.” What else was she supposed to say? Had he really come down to the greenhouses to flirt with her? During work hours? Wait, he’d asked for a tour. Good change of subject. She took a deep breath. “We have four greenhouses here, growing all the flowers for the baskets downtown and in beds at the various parks.”

  When he didn’t reply, she snuck a glance up. Man, he was tall. And looking straight at her with a bemused expression.

  “Kelly, I have something to ask you.”

  No. Too soon. Way too soon.

  “I called the church this morning, but they don’t have any spaces for kids Sophie’s age.”

  Had she really thought he was going to ask her out? Well, he had said she was pretty and kept looking at her strangely. Time to get her head in the real direction he was going. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I double-checked with all the daycares, and none of them have room, either.”

  She nodded, still caught in his gaze.

  “I’m a wee bit stuck here, Kelly.” He hesitated, searching her face. “I know it seems very forward being as we just met, but is there any chance you could watch Sophie next week with Elena? I’m happy to pay you the going rate for child care.”

  This was a slippery slope. He might not be asking her for a date, but this was almost more serious. The way those two little girls had latched onto each other, somebody’s heart was likely to get broken if she said yes. Possibly multiple hearts, including hers.

  Yet how could she decline, knowing he was out of options? It would be far easier to have a buddy for Elena than have her moping around the house by herself. And a bit of pocket change would not go amiss.

  Dear God, how did I get in this situation again? Is this really the right thing to do? I don’t need a broken heart.

  “I’m sorry to ask, Kelly. I fully intended to get to know you more slowly. Take our time.”

  He said what? Oh, man. He was attracted to her. The slope was more than slippery, and the toboggan was poised at the top. “Ian, I don’t know what to say.”

  He bit his lip but kept his gaze steady.

  “If I didn’t work here—” she swept her hand around the greenhouse “—it might not be an issue. But you’re my boss. It all seems so awkward. I don’t want anyone to have reason to think I’m trying to... you know.”

  “I scanned the town employee guidebook this afternoon.”

  She blinked. “Pardon me?”

  “There is nothing in there saying two town employees can’t date each other. Uh, not that I’m asking for a date.”

  Talk about a mixed message. “Oh.”

  “At the moment.”

  She heard the grin in his voice and glanced back up into his warm eyes.

  “Today’s question is about Sophie, though. I’d probably be asking you about next week regardless of the dating question. It’s separate. Intertwined, maybe, but separate.”

  Kelly opened her mouth and closed it again. Everything in her screamed a protest at being pushed. No, he wasn’t asking for a relationship. It was much, much too early for that. And yet, wasn’t this the first step? She’d get to know his daughter. She’d see him every day away from Public Works.

  Was this wise? She wasn’t responsible for Sophie. She should tell him no. Surely he’d be able to come up with a different solution.

  “I think we can make it work.” Apparently her mouth — and heart — had made the decision for her brain. “I know Elena will be delighted.”

  Relief was evident on his face. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  “I think I do.” She shrugged. “I’m a single parent, too.”

  Chapter 3

  “Can Sophie come over and play? Pleeease?” Elena batted her pretty little eyelashes and clutched her new best friend’s hand.

  Kelly clenched her teeth. “Not today.”

  “But, Mommy, she’s my bestest friend. And she’s my twin.”

  Sophie nodded.

  This wouldn’t be so bad if Ian wasn’t standing right beside them at the edge of the school sidewalk. But he was. Kelly crouched down. “Look at me, baby girl.”

  Elena rolled her eyes then obeyed.

  “We have a rule, remember? You don’t get to tell Mommy what to do. You ask me, in advance, and don’t nag. If you nag me, I get to say no without any other reason. That’s our rule.”

  “I’m sorry, Mommy.”

  “So, the answer for today is no.”

  Elena’s face fell, but she stayed silent.

  Kelly could ignore the tear wending its way down the freckled cheek. She glanced up at Ian, who gave a quick hand spread and raised his eyebrows. Hopefully that signaled it was up to her whether she mentioned the deal right now or not. But there was little to gain from putting it off.

  She put a hand on each little girl’s arm. “You know next week is spring break, right?”

  Two little heads nodded.

  “And Elena, remember Mommy is taking next week off work to spend time with you?”

  Another nod.

  “How would you like it if Sophie came to our house every day next week while her daddy is at work?”

  Elena squealed and threw herself in Kelly’s arms. “Really, Mommy? Really truly?”

  “Really truly. Is that okay with you, Sophie?”

  Sophie looked up at Ian, who nodded. “Yes, thank you,” she said in a wee voice.

  “Okay, it’s settled then. Now, today is Tuesday, and it is a long time until Monday. Six days. I know that’s a really long time for you two to wait to play together, so how about if Sophie and her daddy come for a little visit Thursday after school? That way they’ll see where we live.” It also gave her time to tidy their place. Two days wasn’t long enough to get rid of shabby, but it would help.

  The girls twirled in circles together.

  Probably putting them together all of spring break was a bad idea. But she couldn’t be that mean to Ian or the girls just to guard her heart. She was an adult. She’d deal with it, one way or another.

  “Thanks, Kelly. I look forward to visiting.”

  She let out a long breath and looked up at Ian. Did he have to be so good looking? And so nice? She smiled. “No problem. It will be fun.” She reached for Elena’s hand. “Time to come home now, baby girl.”

  “Okay.” Elena squished Sophie. “Bye, Sophie.”

  “Bye. You’re my favorite twin.”

  Kelly dragged Elena down the sidewalk, purposefully not glancing back to see which direction Ian went. He had probably driven over from the office, unlike her.

  “Mommy?”

  “Yes?” She peeked ov
er her shoulder. No Ian in sight. Whew.

  “Sophie would really like a mommy, and I’d like a daddy. Can you be Sophie’s mommy?”

  “Baby girl, this isn’t something kids decide. For kids to get a mommy or daddy, their parents have to get married. That means they have to love each other a lot. They can’t become a mommy or daddy for someone else’s daughter without loving each other first.”

  “But—”

  That didn’t sound pouty. Kelly glanced down to see her daughter chewing her lip, obviously thinking things through.

  “How about if you love Sophie’s daddy?”

  Kelly dropped to her knees on the sidewalk and gripped Elena’s shoulders. “Listen to me, sweetie. I just said this is something for grownups. Kids can’t decide this for their parents. It takes a really long time for grownups to fall in love and get married. Even grownups can’t always decide who that other person will be.”

  She knew that all too well, plus the pain of going too far, too soon, and dealing with the consequences. Not that she could ever regret Elena.

  It was like her daughter read her mind. “Did I have a daddy before?” she asked wistfully.

  How to answer? When was it time to talk about the birds and the bees? “What is a daddy?” Kelly asked instead.

  Elena dipped her head and scowled. “You know what a daddy is.” She poked her toe at the edge of the sidewalk.

  “Tell me.”

  “A daddy is somebody, like a man, who plays with his daughter. Maybe he takes her on bike rides and gets her ice cream, like Sophie’s daddy. And he tucks her in at night and reads her stories.”

  Kelly’s throat closed. “Then you never had a daddy,” she whispered. “But your mommy does all those things for you. I love you very, very much, baby girl.”

  “I love you, too.” Elena wrapped her arms around Kelly’s neck, her shoulder digging into Kelly’s throat. “But I still want a daddy.”

  “There is something you can do.”

  Elena pulled back, a hopeful expression on her face. “What?”