Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2) (8 page)

“Are Sophie and her daddy going to Calgary at Easter?”

Kelly sighed. “Last I heard, yes.”

“Maybe they’re going to the zoo. How come I can’t go to the zoo, Mommy? Sophie said there are bears and giraffes and even red pandas. I want to see them.”

Kelly, too. But not as much as she wanted to see Ian. See his eyes crinkle at the sight of her. Feel his gentle touch when the girls weren’t looking. Hear him call her beautiful. She tried to keep her voice bright. “We’ll have four days at home, just the two of us. Won’t that be fun? I bet you’re up to riding across the bridge to the long trail by the river. We could take a picnic.”

“I want Sophie to come.” Elena angled a glance at Kelly. “And Mr. Ian.”

Kelly forced a chuckle. “But you already told me they won’t be here.”

“I want Sophie to be my twin again.”

So did Kelly.

Her mother’s ring tone chimed. They hadn’t talked often lately with Grandma so sick over in Castlebrook’s nursing home.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, Kelly. How are my two best girls doing?” She sounded tired.
 

“We’re good.” And lying was acceptable. “How about you? How’s Grandma?”

“Not well. The head nurse pulled me aside today and told me to prepare for the end.”

“This isn’t the first time.”

“No, I know. But when I think how she looked even a week or two ago, I have to agree. Is there any chance you can come this weekend? It will probably be the last chance you have to say good-bye.”

The thought of cooping Elena up for hours or even days in a dim, quiet nursing home room was not appealing. Kelly thought longingly of the sunshine outside, the daffodils and tulips blooming beside her sheltered back door. Or the zoo in springtime. “I’m not sure, Mom. I don’t even know how I’d get there.”

Her mother sighed. “Surely you know someone whose car you could borrow, or who is coming to Castlebrook sometime this weekend. Once you’re here you can drive my car, if that helps.”

Ian would be going right past on his way to Calgary. Uh… no.

“It would mean a lot to me, Kelly. The end is near. I can feel it.”

Kelly didn’t want to think how her mother knew that, or if she really did. Seemed freaky. “I hear you, Mom. But I still have Elena to juggle. Does your friend have room for us?”

“Yes, you both can stay with Lorraine. She has a double fold-out bed in the basement.”

Sounded comfy, especially since Elena tended to sleep sideways. “I’ll see if there’s a car I can borrow and come over for the day at some point, rather than the entire weekend.”

“Kelly, please...”

Kelly’s eyebrows rose. It would help if her mom would meet her halfway. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“She’s the only grandparent you have left.”

Nice guilt trip. Kelly had great memories from when she was a child, but Grandma had a stroke five years ago. It had been a rare visit since then when her grandmother had recognized her, let alone Elena. Yeah, she’d still be sad if Grandma died, and she hadn’t said good-bye. She hadn’t been over since just after Christmas.

“I’ll let you know what I can arrange. Take care of yourself, too, Mom.”

When the call ended, Kelly turned to Elena, who sat slumped in a chair beside the table, with a scowl on her face. Kelly knew how her daughter felt.

“I don’t want to go see Great-grandma.”

“I know you don’t, baby girl.” She didn’t, herself. “But sometimes we have to do things even if we don’t want to.” Like calling Ian… or giving up on him? Which would it be?

She wakened her tablet and searched for the local car rental place, dreading whatever the price would be. Terrific. They weren’t accepting one-day reservations over Easter. She’d have to take a car for four days or not at all.

Not at all
was the winner. Even one day would tax her carefully-constructed budget. She wasn’t going to jeopardize Elena’s birthday for a trip to see Grandma. She simply couldn’t do it.

Her elderly landlady had sold her car last year when she’d failed the vision test for her driver’s license. Who else? Someone from church? Vanessa?

Kelly couldn’t do this. A person didn’t randomly phone everyone she knew asking to borrow a car. But just because her mother was a professional guilter didn’t mean Kelly shouldn’t go. The truth was, Kelly hadn’t seen her grandmother in nearly four months. The truth was, closure would be good.

The truth was, Elena would go crazier than the Mad Hatter sitting quietly in that nursing home for hours every day. Kelly could download some new games and picture books to her tablet, but that wouldn’t hold her daughter for long. Besides, she’d want the tablet herself sometimes. She was still in the midst of that great Farm Fresh Romance series.

Which brought her back to Ian’s teasing the other day. If only he’d talk to her anymore. Teasing would be great. She’d hand him her tablet and let him read for himself.

Ian. He was driving right through Castlebrook, probably after work on Thursday. Day after tomorrow. Surely he’d give her and Elena a ride if she simply asked, regardless of how things had been left. Maybe this was the chance she’d been waiting for to break the deadlock.

Lord, I was so sure you were leading us together. Please help me know, one way or the other.

~*~

A light tap sounded on Ian’s office door, which he’d left ajar. Rhonda seemed to think she couldn’t disturb him if it was latched, and he couldn’t convince his secretary otherwise. He stared at the white rectangle. In today’s frame of mind — all twisted up with the little girls’ spat and how he felt about Kelly — he probably should have made sure it was shut.

He sighed. “Yes? Please come in.”

But it wasn’t Rhonda’s fake-red hair that peered around the door.

Ian sprang to his feet. “Kelly!” Man, she looked good. He feasted his eyes long enough to note her long blond hair braided from the top and the dark circles under her eyes. His heart clenched. Those had not been there before. He’d caused them. He and Sophie.

She bit her lip. The one he had not yet kissed. “Hi. Sorry to bother you in the office, but I needed to talk to you.” She met his gaze. “I wasn’t sure you’d pick up your phone or reply to a text.”

Ouch. But if it wasn’t work-related, she might be right. What could he say? He knew where to start. “I’m sorry.”

Kelly came the rest of the way in, shut the door, and leaned against it. Hurt shone in her eyes. “For what?”

He made a helpless gesture. “For everything. For Sophie. For not calling you back.”

“Why, Ian? I know Elena spoke out of turn, but don’t you think she’s been punished enough?”

Ian pulled to his feet, only then recognizing the overwhelming desire to cross the space and gather Kelly in his arms. No. He couldn’t do that. He raised the mini-blinds of his office window, but the view of the Sandon River blurred. He took a deep breath and turned back to face her.

“It’s Sophie. She’s my first responsibility. Really, my only one.” He pleaded with Kelly with his eyes.

“You’re telling me that it’s because she is still angry with Elena? Two weeks later? Kids don’t usually hold grudges, Ian.”

Ian straightened the phone and day planner on the corner of his desk then moved the pen caddy a little to the left. He squared Sophie’s framed photo.

Kelly’s hands appeared in his view. She tipped the pens and they skittered across his desk. “If Elena and I messed up your orderly life a bit too much, just say it like a man. Tell me why we went from… from flirting and hanging out together to a brick wall.” She placed both hands on the back of his desk and leaned forward.

Right into his view. Right where he wanted her forever. He shot a glance at Sophie’s image.

Kelly reached over and turned the frame on its face.

“Hey!”

“Listen to me, Ian Tomlinson. What are you teaching Sophie? That you deal with problems by retreating and blocking them out? How about teaching her to be forgiving? How about teaching her to respect the feelings of others? How about teaching her that life is all about give and take and doing her part to live in harmony with others?”

Her finger jabbed toward his chest, but he took a step back before she connected.

“If those are your family values, then Elena and I are better off without the both of you.”

Ian took a shuddering breath. Were those accusations true? Was he modeling a non-Christ-like attitude for his daughter? Maria had called him rigid. Unbending. Were both women right?

“Never mind.” Kelly spun on her heel and headed for the door.

“Kelly, wait.” The words came out past the lump in his throat. “You’re right.”

She paused, her back to him and her hand on the doorknob.

“I’ve gotten so wrapped up creating a safe place for Sophie that I’ve messed up everywhere else.” He rounded the desk and stopped. He choked on his words. “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Kelly turned slowly, her eyes searching his. “I want to.” She bit her lip.

“But…?”

Moisture pooled in her blue eyes. “I have to forgive you, don’t I? Otherwise I’m doing what I just accused you of. Keeping you at a distance to protect myself. To protect Elena.” A tear trickled down her cheek. So vulnerable. He’d caused that pain.

“Kelly.” He crossed the space between them in a heartbeat and wiped away the tear with his thumb. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been miserable, but to know how much pain I’ve caused you breaks my heart. Can we try again?”

Her lips trembled. “What about Sophie?”

He touched her lips with his fingers. Cradled her face in his hands. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll be an example to her. Today.”

Kelly took one step closer and slid her arms around his waist.
 

Ian clutched her to him. Would she look up at him again? Would he kiss her if she did? Too soon. Not until this turmoil was solved. He rested his cheek against her hair. “Thank you, Kelly. Thanks for caring enough to confront me.” He gave a slight squeeze and stepped back, releasing her.

She searched his face. “Is this a bad time to tell you I had an ulterior motive? Well, maybe not ulterior, but a reason that pushed me to talk to you now instead of later?”

He kept his hands firmly at his sides, no matter how much they itched to touch her again. “What’s that?”

“Are you still going to Calgary this weekend?”

He nodded as his heart leaped. Did she want to go, too? It was too early to introduce her to his parents. Or maybe not.

“My grandmother is in a nursing home in Castlebrook. I think I told you my mom has been over there most of the past few months to spend time with her.” She watched him. “Grandma is failing quickly, and my mom really needs me to be there. Both Elena and me. But I have no car.”

“Do you need a ride? We’re leaving shortly after work tomorrow. I have plenty of room for you, and, as you know, it’s not out of the way.”

“Will it be okay with Sophie?”

“I’ll make it be okay. It’s time for her to face what her hurt is doing to Elena. To you.” He closed the gap once again, grasped both Kelly’s hands, and brushed his lips across her forehead. “Thank you for perspective. For a second chance. I’ve been praying for a way through this.”

Chapter 11

Sophie poked her toe at the edge of the patio behind Kelly’s house. “I’m sorry I was mean to you.”

“I’m sorry I said that about breaking a promise.” Elena watched Sophie, who didn’t look up. “I missed playing with you.”

“Me, too.” Sophie peeked up. “I like Gracie, but she’s not my twin.”

Kelly dared breathe. Dared to meet Ian’s gaze from where he stood behind Sophie, both hands on her shoulders. Kelly crouched. “Can I get a hug, Sophie? I’ve missed you, too.”

Sophie nodded and shuffled forward a few steps.

Kelly encased the little girl in her arms and snuggled her until she felt the small body relax. She kissed Sophie’s forehead and reached for Elena. Cuddling both girls, she looked up.

“Is there room for one more?” Ian’s face wore a look of longing. “I could use a hug.”

Elena nodded and launched at him. He caught her and swung her up then reached for Kelly and Sophie. A moment later they stood, arms holding each other up.

Like a family. Was this what God had for them? Kelly could only hope and pray.

“Time to start driving,” said Ian. “Do you girls want to talk or watch a movie?”

Elena leaned over to look in his eyes. “Is it a princess movie?”

He grinned at her. “Is there any other kind?” He released both girls to the patio. “Let me buckle in your booster seat so you two can get settled. Ready?”

Kelly caught her breath as Ian’s gaze lingered on her face. Ready? Oh, yeah.

~*~

Ian glanced over at her now, leaning back against the headrest, her eyes closed and long lashes fanned against her cheeks. Blond hair flowed past her shoulders in gentle waves. Her pert nose slightly raised. She was wearing his favorite of her outfits, the well-worn jeans and fitted purple hoodie.

“Eyes on the road, buddy,” she said without moving.

Ian chuckled. The highway was fine. He’d looked often enough, even though there was a fair bit of holiday weekend traffic. “So you’re watching me watch you.”

A muscle twitched in her cheek as though she prevented it from smiling.

He wanted to see that smile spread across her face in the worst way. Wanted to see her blue eyes dance as they met his. “It seems forever since we’ve spent time together.” He hesitated. “Are we okay?”

She nodded slightly. One blue eye opened and looked at him. “When we first met, and Elena asked you to be her daddy…” Kelly’s voice trailed off.

Ian swallowed hard. “I remember.”

She turned to face him. “I told her kids don’t get to decide things like that. Only grownups can decide.”

Ouch. He deserved that. “Sophie’s been my entire world for most of her life. I lost perspective. I’m sorry you and Elena suffered while I learned.” He reached across the console and laced his fingers with hers. “I’d do anything to take back the last two weeks.”

“Your daddy is holding my mommy’s hand,” whispered Sophie.

Kelly turned in her seat, letting go of Ian’s hand. “Is it a good movie?”

Elena grinned. “Yep. I hadn’t seen this one yet.”