No Ordinary Summer

by Linda Barrett

  “She’s fine, Shelley. Just fine.” Daniel Stone’s voice was compassionate, his eyes warm as he looked down at her from his position on the other side of Jessie.

  Shelley rose and noted for the first time that he’d put Jessie on a leash. “Emily is fine this time,” she replied. “But what about next time?”

  He nodded. “Point taken.”

  “Maybe I should follow your example with Jess,” said Shelley, nodding at the leash. She grinned up at him. “Not a bad idea. A harness would be even better.”

  He replied with a slight smile, but remained quiet as he studied her, his eyes first alight with humor, then darkening as he continued to study her.

  “What…?” she began. And then felt herself blush under his scrutiny. Recognized the moment his gaze heated, and felt her heart start to thump in response.

  Breathe. She tried. She couldn’t. Instead, she blinked. And as suddenly as it had appeared, the heat in Daniel’s eyes was gone. Had she imagined it? She didn’t think so. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard “Mom! Mom!” Only her child’s voice had the power to penetrate her foggy mind.

  Shelley pivoted and waved to her son, who was peering in all directions. Josh ran toward her. “Didn’t you see me driving, Mom?” He stopped short when he saw Daniel. His eyes narrowed as he looked from Daniel to Shelley. He said nothing, however, until he studied Jess. “You’ve got her neck in a fat leather collar,” he said in an accusatory tone. He raced five steps to the dog and gave her a hug. “Won’t it choke her?”

  Shelley smothered a laugh. If anything, Josh was choking the dog.

  “Does she look unhappy to you, Josh?” asked Daniel.

  The dog was dancing on her hind legs, licking Josh as though he were her new best friend. “No. She’s happy. She’s always happy to see me.”

  Daniel nodded. “I can tell.”

  Josh looked up at Jessie’s owner. “Are you and Jessie staying upstairs all summer?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  Shelley chuckled at the expressions flitting across her son’s face, a curious mixture of distrust and delight assigned respectively to the man and the dog. She glanced at Daniel. He winked at her, and his grin said it all.

  “Sorry about that, Josh,” said Daniel. “Can’t have one without the other.”

  Emily tugged at her and pointed. “Mommy. Look who’s coming. Casey and Katie.”

  Shelley followed Emily’s gaze, and sure enough, Bart Quinn, Sam Parker and another man she hadn’t met, plus the children, were approaching, the kids leading the way.

  “Wow! Is that your dog?” asked Katie, running up to Josh and Jessie, Casey right behind her.

  “She’s b-beautiful.” Casey stopped a foot from the dog and allowed Jess to sniff him.

  “This is Jessie,” said Josh, standing tall, his arm possessively around the canine. “She’s a girl golden retriever and she likes kids.”

  “Good,” said Casey. “Th-that’s the best kind of dog.”

  “Wow,” repeated Katie, patting Jessie all over and getting slurped for her efforts. “Are you lucky!”

  “Well, Jessie lives at Sea View House, but she’s not exactly mine.” Josh glanced at Daniel. “That’s Professor Stone. He lives upstairs and Jessie’s really his.”

  Two pairs of eyes turned to Daniel.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hi,” they replied in unison, examining Daniel for a long moment, longer than an introduction usually required. They looked at each other, nodded, then studied Daniel again.

  Shelley grinned inwardly as she watched. Those kids were up to something.

  “Papa Bart, maybe he can do it,” said Katie.

  “Maybe yes. Maybe no,” replied her great-grandfather. “Only one way to find out, lassie. Ask him.”

  Katie stepped in front of Daniel. “Do you like baseball, Mr. Stone?”

  “Sure.” Daniel glanced from the child to Bart. The older man just smiled, his eyes twinkling.

  Then Casey spoke up. “You got any kids?” he asked.

  Forehead creased, Daniel turned his attention to the boy. “It’s just Jessie and me.”

  “B-but, do you like kids?” The boy’s earnest expression had Shelley paying close attention to both Casey and Daniel.

  Daniel started to smile. “Sure, I do. I like baseball, kids and apple pie. Anything else you want to know?”

  “Yeah. We need a new c-coach. D-Dad can’t do it. We’re all getting m-married! Right in the middle of the season.”

  Between Daniel’s bewilderment, Casey’s earnestness and Katie’s precociousness, Shelley couldn’t contain her mirth. And neither could any of the ROMEOs in attendance. A chorus of adult laughter punctuated the evening air. Everyone joined in…except Daniel, whose complete attention centered on her once more.

  “Nice sound,” he said. “But not nice to laugh at me.” His exaggerated pout had her giggling again.

  “Wh-what’s so funny?” asked a wide-eyed Casey, his expression totally innocent.

  Shelley couldn’t stop laughing. The child was adorable and funny. At least to her. She plopped herself on a nearby bench, enjoying the release her laughter gave her. She felt wonderful.

  Her own children stared at her as though she’d morphed into a complete stranger. “I’ll tell you what, kids,” she said when she caught her breath, “how about I volunteer to coach the team.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  DANIEL WASN’T the only one jolted into silence. Seven pairs of eyes joined his in studying the woman now relaxing on the bench. Happy. Carefree. Lovely.

  He glanced at Josh, the only person in the group who’d know the truth about his mother’s skills. Let the kid argue. Dan had no intention of igniting any politically incorrect flames.

  “But, Mom! You don’t know how to play baseball.” Josh’s voice held a note of genuine anguish, and Dan hoped the boy could either back up his assessment or be proved wrong.

  “Sure, I do,” replied Shelley. “Don’t I always go to your games and cheer at the right times?”

  Dan groaned silently. Josh was noisier.

  “C’mon, Josh,” said Shelley, a smile still on her face. “How hard could it be? Three strikes and you’re out! The umpires judge the balls and strikes, not me. And what I don’t know, I’ll learn. This summer is for fun. A time for new adventures as a family. We’ll all do new things, including me.”

  Nice speech, but the kid wasn’t buying it. In fact, the boy was looking at him, a struggle between need and distrust on his face. For the first time since he’d met Josh, the boy’s protective streak toward his mother revealed a definite crack, at least for the moment. The kid just wanted to play ball. Long summer days loomed ahead. As far as Dan was concerned, Josh’s desire was perfectly normal.

  “Ahem.” Bart coughed with feeling.

  Dan glanced at the older man. A blind person could have read the message on his face. Do it. His eyes were compassionate but demanding. His expression encouraging.

  But Dan hesitated. Light-years passed while he considered his options. When he’d first arrived in Pilgrim Cove, somehow he and Bart had spoken of loves lost. Somehow? Later Dan realized that Bartholomew Quinn had a way of making a person talk. But to his credit, Bart had also shared. In fact, he’d confided that his Rosemary still nestled in his heart, keeping him company every day, just as Nikki kept Daniel company. But the similarities ended there. Bart, the extrovert, had been able to shift into Drive, while Daniel, more reserved, was still stuck in Park. Or perhaps Reverse.

  Since Nikki’s death, he’d managed to function at the university, meeting all obligations with students, staff and administration with professionalism. He managed to eat, sleep and visit his family. And Nikki’s family. He forced himself to make conversation and to meet his responsibilities everywhere. So why was it so hard for a person of his intellect and achievement to actually jump in and begin living again? He knew the answer, simply didn’t like it.

  Because living was a matter of
the heart. Not the mind. And his heart was out of commission.

  But now Bart was reminding him of his new resolve. The point of his move to the East Coast. New job. New people. New sights and sounds. With no reminders. He wanted to lift his spirits. He wanted to participate…safely…in life again. What could be safer than a boy’s baseball league?

  He studied his attractive downstairs neighbor once again as she leaned back on the bench. Divorced. And totally relaxed, at least for the moment. He hadn’t seen her so at ease before. And now she’d jumped in and volunteered for a job she’d never done in her life and didn’t know how to do. He glanced at Josh’s unhappy face…poor kid!

  Then he winked at the boy and looked at the mother. “How’d you like an assistant coach, Coach? Someone who could…ah…help with practices and maybe give you some tips?”

  She actually looked startled at the idea, but had no time to answer before Bart Quinn’s approval floated in the air.

  “A perfect solution.” Bart motioned to the larger of his friends. “Chief, I think you’ve met Daniel, but come meet Shelley Anderson and her children.”

  Dan watched the introduction, one part of his mind hoping Shelley wasn’t annoyed about his offer, and the other part of his mind amazed that Rick O’Brien, the retired police chief who was getting married in the morning, still had the time and desire to wander around an amusement park. Must have an understanding bride or a bad case of nerves.

  The former chief’s voice boomed when he greeted Shelley, and Daniel had his answer. Nerves. Rick O’Brien’s tone had been well modulated earlier in the week. The ex-cop was as jittery as any groom of any age, anywhere in the world. Dan smiled in commiseration, remembering when he…and then wished he hadn’t.

  He heard the former chief welcome Shelley to Pilgrim Cove, as if he were the mayor of the town. The ROMEOs all sounded the same when discussing the community. What a bunch! But they did carry their self-imposed responsibility with honor and they always followed through.

  “I know every street, every business and just about every person in this town, Mrs. Anderson,” said Rick. “If you need anything, or need to know anything, just ask. I’m usually at the diner every morning about eight with my buddies.”

  “Call me Shelley, please. And these are Josh and Emily.”

  Daniel watched Rick examine each child. Watched him memorize them. Once a cop, always a cop. He’d worked with many police officers almost a lifetime ago as a law intern in the district attorney’s office. Mostly good experiences, he thought as he shook Rick O’Brien’s hand. “Good luck tomorrow. If she’s the right one, it’s worth everything. Including the attack on your stomach right now.”

  The former chief slapped him good-naturedly on the shoulder. “No problem there. I’ve loved that woman for years. Dee’s the right one. The only one.”

  Interesting. Wasn’t this a second marriage for both the bride and groom?

  TO SHELLEY, the holiday weekend sped by in what seemed like a minute, and in no time, she was back at work in her kindergarten classroom. Since she’d left Pilgrim Cove, images of Daniel Stone had sprung into her mind regularly, sometimes hovering there like a visitor on an extended stay. As she straightened up her desk the first Wednesday afternoon back at work, his slow grin and warm brown eyes remained with her. So did his broad back and shoulders. She liked the way he cocked his head and paid full attention when listening to someone speak, even when the speaker was eight years old.

  She didn’t know much about his background—what his field was or what had precipitated his move to Boston—but she knew enough to feel comfortable sharing the house with him. She didn’t need the additional endorsements of Jessie and the ROMEOs to reinforce her impression.

  The night at Neptune’s Park had improved their neighborly relationship. After Dan volunteered to coach the team with her, Josh had actually invited him to ride the Ferris wheel. What a reward! Afterward, the entire group had munched hot dogs together, and Bart insisted on treating everyone to ice cream. If the weekend was an indication of the summer ahead, Shelley was convinced she’d made a wonderful decision.

  From the school, Shelley drove directly to the local supermarket. Her mom was picking up the kids that afternoon, and her dad would join them at the house later. It was their year-old Wednesday routine. While Shelley shopped, her mom cooked dinner. It’s what Ellen Duffy wanted to do and Shelley didn’t argue. Now that Ellen worked only part-time, she enjoyed fussing over her grandchildren in the middle of the week.

  Shelley hummed to the music on the radio, mentally organizing the chores and packing that needed to be done before she and the children could move to Sea View House for the summer. Her parents would join them for the remainder of June and return for some weekends during the season. The kids were excited about sharing the house with Nana and Poppy. Finally, life was moving forward smoothly. Shelley’s hum changed into a private karaoke sing-along. Off-key as usual, but she didn’t care. For the moment, she was happy and she sang.

  She almost didn’t hear the ring of her cell phone. She pressed the button to connect the call just as she pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Shelley. It’s Carl. Where are you?”

  I’m fine, Carl. Thanks for asking. “I’m pulling into the Food Club parking lot. Why?”

  “We need to talk. Something important’s come up, and I need you to listen and concentrate.”

  Shelley’s stomach tightened. She knew that tone of voice, that edge of excitement. He wanted to drag her into something.

  She rolled down her window an inch, then shut off the engine. “Your life is your own now. You don’t need to discuss anything with me.”

  “On the contrary. This news definitely affects you. In fact, I’d like to take you to dinner and discuss it.”

  Dinner? With Carl? “I don’t think so, Carl. I’m sitting in the privacy of my car. No children around. No adults around. Let’s talk now.”

  She heard his big sigh at the other end. “Shelley, at the risk of making you angry, I have to insist. My news is something good, but it’s bigger than you can imagine. And it will affect a lot of people—definitely the kids and possibly you.”

  “What do you mean? Definitely the kids? Haven’t they had enough changes in their lives?” She hated the way her voice shook and took a deep breath. “You’re scaring me, Carl,” she said more quietly, “and I don’t like it.”

  “Then have dinner with me tomorrow night,” he cajoled softly, “and you won’t be scared. Like I said, Shelley, the news is good. The biggest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  Shelley’s mind whirled. She’d be better off knowing what all this was about so she could plan. She’d probably have to deflect whatever it was. Having dinner somewhere with Carl was easier than having him coming to the house and creating general havoc with the kids.

  “If I can get a sitter, I’ll meet you at seven. Concord Cafeteria.”

  “Cafeteria! Come on, Shel. I’ll take you out for a real dinner. I want us to enjoy ourselves. And celebrate.”

  Nice words. A couple of years too late. “This isn’t a date, Carl. The Concord is near your office, and the food doesn’t matter.”

  He sighed again. “For crying out loud! Okay. I won’t argue. But take a cab into town and I’ll drive you home. I know you hate driving in the city.”

  “My driving’s not a problem. I’ll confirm tomorrow. Bye.”

  She disconnected and collapsed into herself. Her hands shook; her legs felt weak. She didn’t like surprises emanating from Carl. Especially when he was being thoughtful of her. Wanting to take her out for a nice dinner. Wanting to drive her home. No, thanks.

  Carl could be very charming. And very loving. After all, she’d loved him once. Totally. He’d been her whole world then. And some people—like her parents—might think she was too suspicious now. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the seat. A sacred trust had been b
roken. A betrayal so painful that the damage still lingered.

  And now, she’d bet a week’s vacation that Carl wanted more from her than just an opinion. She knew him too well. He was trying to soften her up because he wanted something that she wouldn’t want to give.

  CARL WAS WAITING for her at the front door of the cafeteria, and Shelley had to admit that he looked great. A handsome man, he’d filled out over the years since their marriage, all muscle, as he’d pursued a regular exercise program. His green eyes lit up when he spotted her, the intensity followed by a quick expression of relief. Interesting, Shelley thought, that he’d have a touch of anxiety about whether she’d show up.

  “You look wonderful, Shel,” said Carl, kissing her quickly on the cheek.

  Wonderful? After a day spent with twenty five-year-olds? “I’ve still got finger paint under my nails and ‘Where is Thumbkin?’ in my brain. Let’s go inside.” She met his gaze and reached for the door handle, but not fast enough to miss the flash of admiration in his expression.

  “Sometimes,” he murmured, grabbing the door from her, “I think I hardly knew you.”

  But he had known her. He’d known the Shelley she’d been when she was nineteen years old. Hell, he’d influenced her growth into a young wife and mother. But he didn’t know the woman she was becoming now. In fact, Shelley was in the process of discovering that woman herself.

  “You knew me, Carl. We’ve known each other for fifteen years including a ten-year marriage. And you can take total credit if you don’t recognize me now,” she said, leading them to the stack of trays and silverware inside the self-serve restaurant.

  “Point taken,” he replied, handing her a tray. “Let’s figure out what’s good here tonight.”

  She followed his lead into innocuous conversation, and in a few moments, followed him as he selected a booth in a quiet area along the back wall of the cafeteria. She preferred the privacy, too.