Warmed by his expression of concern, Serena squeezed his hand. “It is now. Let's go.”
~*~
Serena's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright as she skated beside Colin. More like she skated while he moved one foot in front of the other. She was grace to his fumbling ineptness. He'd already taken a tumble three times in the thirty minutes since they'd arrived.
True to her word, Lily had grabbed his hand and made a valiant effort to pull him to his feet.
Unable to resist, Colin had tugged and pulled her down with him. Then he'd given her a hug and kissed her cheek before they'd struggled to their feet again.
At one point, he'd sat on a bench, content to enjoy the sight of mother and daughter, hand in hand, as they skated together. Such a sweet picture. Watching Serena now, he found it difficult to believe that she'd gone through such a tragedy. More than that, the rise of anger reared its ugly head when he thought of how Graham Preston had the blessing of such a beautiful woman and child yet he'd squandered what God had given him.
“You're so good with Lily, it's difficult to believe you haven't been around many children,” Serena said, interrupting his thoughts.
“She makes it easy. Speaking of such, why don't you corral Daredevil Lily”âshe'd zoomed past them on multiple occasions and did so againâ“and find your way to the warming tent? In the meantime, I'll purchase hot beverages for us and join you shortly.”
Serena grinned. “Are you sure you want to chance skating with hot beverages?”
She had him there. “You're right. How about we go together to get the beverages?”
Ten minutes later, they huddled together. Serena and Lily smiled at him over the rims of their cups of hot chocolateâwith an extra helping of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle for bothâwhile Colin savored his hot apple cider spiced with cinnamon.
“I'm done!” Lily said a few minutes later. “Can I please go skate some more?”
“Another twenty minutes,” Serena told Lily after Colin assured her the rink was open until nine o'clock.
Lily skated off and they moved to the edge of the warming tent to keep an eye on her.
“It's said that Dilworth Park is the fulfillment of William Penn's vision of having a central gathering place in the city,” Colin said, watching the skaters. “People are so self-absorbed and busy these days, but this is a wonderful place to congregate and have some funâyoung, old, and from all walks of life.” He pointed to the people skating closest to them. “Case in point, a suburban mom skating next to an inner-city teen and a man who's most likely a retired businessman with his daughter. At least I hope she's his daughter or I'll significantly revise my opinion of the man.” Colin paused to finish his cider.
Serena laughed quietly.
He tucked a stray strand of her hair beneath her pale blue knit cap and caressed his thumb on the side of her face. “I don't think enough people know how to have fun anymore.”
“You can't know how much I appreciate that quality in you,” Serena said. “You've reminded me to rediscover the joy of this season.” She scooted closer to him.
Colin put his arm around her small waist, drawing her close. Where she belonged. “It's my honor. You and Lily make it fun.”
“We could have brought our own skates.” Taking a long drink, Serena finished the last of her hot chocolate.
“You could have, yes, but again, that would have spoiled my plan. I wouldn't have missed the delighted surprise on your faces for the world.” Colin kissed her forehead. “Bringing joy to you and your daughter has become one of my greatest missions in life.”
Serena's eyes widened and her breath came out in small puffs in the cold night air. When he gestured to her empty cup, she handed it to him, and he tossed both their cups in the nearby trash container. Although he understood why she kept her gaze trained on the rink, Colin wanted to see her eyes, if only for a moment. Moving one gloved hand to the back of her neck, he used his other hand to tug on the bottom of her long scarf. His eyes roamed over her lovely features when she turned to face him.
“Serena, may I kiss you?”
Without speaking, Serena raised her face to his in invitation.
Colin kept the kiss light and gentle but never had a kiss meant more. Her sweet mouth was warm and welcoming with a hint of rich chocolate. Delicious. Serena's lips trembled slightly under his. Apparently she was clearly as affected as he by the strong emotions passing between them.
“Thank you,” he whispered, planting another light kiss on the tip of her nose.
Serena gave him a slightly dazed look. “There's been no one else since Graham,” she said. “Not until you walked into my life, that is. More like bounced into my life with those ridiculous, red high-top tennis shoes and jingle bells. I can't believe I'm saying this, but combined with your accent and humor, those shoes are actually kind of sexy in their own unique way.”
Good thing they were in a public place and needed to keep their focus on Lily or he'd wrap Serena in his arms and not relinquish her for a long time.
Leaning her head against the front of his jacket for a moment, Serena finally stepped back. “As much as I hate for this night to end, I suppose we should turn in our skates and head back home.” Regret tinged her words.
“I believe you're right. Help keep me upright?” When Colin offered his hand, she grabbed hold of him and tugged him back onto the ice.
Lily was skating with a group of children who looked to be about her same age.
“Why don't we let her skate a few minutes more?”
Serena nodded. “All right, but only if you'll allow me to show off a bit.”
“How so?”
His jaw gaped as she skated a short distance away and then proceeded to skate backwards toward him, spinning like a ballerina, making him dizzy before stopping abruptly and dipping in a small curtsy.
“It would seem you've been holding out on me, Serena love. That was a spectacular display. However did you learn to do that growing up in Virginia?”
“We had a rink.” She stopped and stared at him as a slow frown creased her features. “Wait a minute. How did you know I grew up in Virginia?”
Colin met her gaze.
She was right. She'd never told him where she'd grown up, but only some basic details of her childhood.
Might as well confess. “Well, you see, I did a bit of personal research.”
Serena didn't flinch but something flickered in her blue eyes.
What it was, he couldn't tell. Maybe he shouldn't have felt so free to volunteer that he'd done some digging into her personal life.
“Have you known about my relationship to Graham all along?”
“No, but even if I had, would it matter? It has no bearing on my feelings for you, then or now.” When she didn't answer, he pushed on. “Serena, please listen to me. I came looking for you the other night and found you kneeling on the floor in the wardrobe room, weeping and folding Graham's clothes. I highly doubt you'd do such a thing if you didn't hold deep affection for the man. Certainly as more than an employer-employee relationship.” He shrugged. “The simple truth is, I wanted to know more about you.”
Serena kept her gaze trained on Lily. She didn't make a sound, didn't protest, and didn't show any emotion. In some ways, he'd rather she'd stomp, scream, or yell at him.
“Please don't make this into anything more complicated than it needs to be,” Colin said. “I was curious. I had this burning desire to know more so that I could understand you. I care deeply for you. If the situation were reversed, I believe you might have done the same thing. Feel free to research my life, if you'd like.” He raised his arms. “I can't guarantee you'll be thrilled by everything you readâor by the photographsâbut my life is what it is, as lame as that sounds. I have no more skeletons in my proverbial closet. I've laid them all out for you, for better or worse. Now I suppose it's up to you to accept me for the man I am today.” He swallowed hard, hating to say the next words but knowing he must. “If you can't, then it's best that we stop this relationship now before we get in any deeper.”
He was already in deep. Much to his dismay, tears stung the back of his eyes. “I really hope that's not what you want, Serena. We haven't known one another long, but I happen to think we're quite spectacular together.” Looking the other way, Colin chewed on his lower lip and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he tried to compose himself. Goodness, he was shaking, and not from the cold temperature.
As if in slow motion Serena motioned for Lily.
She skated over.
Colin helped them unlace their skates and then Lily insisted on helping with his. Serena only said a few words while Lily kept up a constant stream of chatter that helped to fill the awkwardness. How he hated it, but what could he do?
The ride back to the townhome was quiet.
Lily slept in the backseat, and in some ways, the silence was a relief. So many times Colin wanted to ask Serena what thoughts were running through her mind, but he refrained. Once back at the townhome, he carried Lily and followed Serena upstairs before lowering the sleeping child onto her bed.
“I'll leave you to get her changed into her nightclothes,” he said to Serena. “I'll let myself out.” With a heavy heart, Colin turned to go.
Serena reached for him, resting one hand on his arm. “Wait for me, please. I'll be downstairs in a few minutes.”
Their gazes locked and relief flooded him when he saw no anger in her eyes. “If you're sure.”
“We need to talk, and I don't think we should wait until the morning,” she said.
He nodded. “I agree. I'll see you downstairs in a few minutes.” While he waited, Colin studied the books on the shelves in the living room.
Unless Serena had an avid interest in professional sports and world politics, she had kept the books belonging to Graham.
He pulled out a book with the history of the television station and flipped through it, pausing to read the captions of a few photos.
As though of its own accord, the book opened to a section with photos of Graham in his early days at the station as the third male co-host of the long-running morning show now known as
Wake Up, Philadelphia!
The name of the program had been changed when they'd switched networks five years ago.
Graham was a manly sort with a strong, square jawline and handsome features that somewhat resembled his father's. Colin had watched a few tapes of the show, primarily interviews Graham had done with city leaders about serious subjects. His predecessor rarely smiled and seemed more a hard-hitting journalist, making him an odd choice for a more casual, humorous, human-interest program.
Colin felt again as if he were spying, especially in light of his burgeoning feelings for the man's widow.
“If you're thinking they tried to fit Graham into a mold, you'd be right.”
Engrossed in the book, Colin hadn't heard Serena come down the stairs. He wished she hadn't caught him staring at a photo of her late husband.
“I tried to persuade Graham not to take the job with the morning show.” She came to stand beside him. “From the beginning, I felt it was a bad fit for his abilities and interests.” Serena pointed to a black-and-white photo in the book. “He liked that particular photo and thought it represented him well. He always felt as though he'd been born a few decades too late.”
“Too late?”
What an intriguing statement. And a telling comment from Serena in that she could calmly discuss Graham without breaking into tears.
“Graham felt he belonged in a world where everything was black and white with very little gray and not much color. He preferred the hard news, giving the facts, and wanted to make people think rather than laugh. Everything had its place and time.”
Like his wife?
That was unkind, and Colin pushed aside the thought. Closing the book, he replaced it on the bookshelf. “Then I'm guessing the morning show was in full Technicolor for him. Are you saying Graham didn't enjoy his work?”
Several emotions played over Serena's face before she answered. “At times he enjoyed it, but he also did a lot of writing for the network. I think that helped him feel as if his work was more valued or important somehow. Most people aren't aware of that. I think he found the greatest satisfaction in articles he wrote for the more famous newspapers. Graham used a pseudonym because he wanted to keep that part of his career separate. He was always concerned that if he used his real name, he'd be leveled with accusations of nepotism or favoritism because his dad is so well-known and respected.”
Lowering her gaze, Serena blew out a breath. “I tried to tell Graham that wouldn't be the case, but I'm not sure he believed me. He told me how difficult it was to live under the shadow of greatness. I understood that, but not in the way Graham assumed.”
“I can admire his strong work ethic and obvious commitment to excellence,” Colin said.
He felt inadequate compared to Graham's accomplishments, but Serena had never made him feel that way. She'd been wary of him early on, but she'd never made him feel less than worthy. Now he better understood that she, too, had perhaps tried to live up to expectations as Graham's wife.
Serena grabbed his hand, turning to face him. “Please don't think I shared Graham's opinion about the morning show not being important. I'm sorry. I didn't realize until now how arrogant that might have come across.”
“I don't mind. I'm the guy who only has two years of university, remember.”
With a frown, Serena took his other hand in hers. “But that didn't stop you from achieving so much. You worked your way to this job through hard work and an abundance of talent. I'll tell you something. For all of his many good qualities, Graham didn't have a funny bone in his body. He failed miserably at trying to crack a joke and it comes so naturally for you. He didn't have the warmth, charisma, and charm that you do. No amount of book learning can teach something like that. And you have life experience that Graham didn't.”