Dropping the car off at his house had been an iffy but justifiable call, one that she could safely store in the small-town-hospitality box. Going out of her way like that fit with the town and how most of its citizens acted and besides, she could call it customer service. But the rest…
There was no explanation for her staying for dinner except the fact she’d wanted to. And she’d enjoyed it. Watching him move around his kitchen, so comfortable, so masculine. Watching as he gave Dani little tasks and showered her with praise when she completed them, feeling especially warmed when she’d seen how her little girl soaked it up, how it seemed they’d become the fastest of friends.
But then she’d gone and brought up his mother and the day had taken a turn. It was bad enough that she’d carelessly stepped into the sensitive subject, especially since she knew how much even well-meaning inquiries could hurt. But when they’d talked about Daniel, Matilda, her reasons for even being in town, she’d come to her senses. Dani had to be her focus, her sole focus. Her girl didn’t have anyone else, so it was Ariel’s job to make sure she had everything she needed.
Which meant she couldn’t afford to waste time flirting with Matt like she was a free single. It didn’t matter that she seemed to respond to him on a base, almost primal level that had been absent for so long, she was almost convinced that she’d never felt it before.
Her thoughts turned to Daniel, and she was relieved when she didn’t feel guilt or sadness. She would always regret that he’d never even gotten to see his daughter, let alone watch her grow up, but Matt, the response he stirred, was a reminder that she hadn’t died with her husband, but that maybe, one day, she might have a chance to move on.
A flash of pink caught her eye, and Ariel reached for the tiny glittery comb-and-brush set that was one of Dani’s favorites. She had healed, but Dani was still so young, a baby practically, though Ariel wouldn’t dare say that to her face. So no matter what, she needed to stay focused.
But her resolve didn’t stop her thoughts from straying yet again to Dr. Poole or the little flare of guilt that hit her when they did.
He was kind, patient, far more reserved than she was. There was a goodness about him, and Ariel knew that he’d make some woman a great husband, some children a great father one day. She squeezed the toys as she acknowledged that the woman would never be her. And besides, what did she have to offer him? Hands calloused from working and a four-year-old to care for?
So she’d dropped the car off and gotten whatever the hell had come over her out of her system. And she’d probably see him around, practically couldn’t
not
see him in a town the size of Thornehill and because two of his SEAL buddies had paired off with two of her good friends.
But nothing more would come of it because she had a daughter to raise.
••••
Later that evening, just before she’d planned to go to bed, Ariel jumped at a knock on her front door. She walked to the door and opened it, surprised to see Amanda Atkins, her best friend, standing on the other side. Even in the height of summer when Ariel would have been a wilted mess, Amanda looked amazing, soft waves of dark hair contrasting beautifully against her rich teak-colored skin, her generous curves on tasteful display in her capris and T-shirt.
“Mandy?”
“Can I come in?” Mandy asked, looking over her shoulder.
“Of course. Is everything okay?” Ariel said as she ushered Mandy in, knowing full well what this visit was about and not able to stop the laugh that bubbled up.
“I’m hiding,” Mandy said as she headed to her usual spot in the living room.
“Mandy, you keep hiding out here, and I’m gonna start charging you rent,” Ariel called over her shoulder as she headed to the kitchen. “Apple juice or orange juice?”
“Do you have strawberry milk?” she asked.
“My word!” Ariel exclaimed, doing her best impersonation of Matilda and her posse. “A woman of your age drinking flavored milk? Won’t someone think of the children?”
When she rejoined Mandy in the living room, she handed over one of the small cartons of milk she kept around just for her friend’s visits.
“Ha-ha. But don’t knock it. It’s tasty,” Mandy said before she took a deep swig. “What?” her friend asked when she glanced over at Ariel, who laughed so hard her stomach hurt.
“You just slammed that like a wino with a Boone’s Farm bottle,” Ariel said around peals of laughter.
If Ariel didn’t know any better, she might have felt bad at the guileless hurt that crossed Mandy’s face. Too bad for Mandy she did and wasn’t taken in by her friend’s doe-eyed innocence anymore.
The other woman smiled and took another swig of milk, almost defiantly, before she said, “And it’s good for you. Lots of vitamin D.” Her wide eyes narrowed, predatory now. “Speaking of which…”
“Amanda Elaine Atkins, did you just make an entendre?” Ariel said, throwing a hand across her chest in a pantomime of scandalized offense.
“That word is not on the third-grade vocabulary list, so I don’t know it. Why don’t you define it for me? Or maybe I should ask someone else.” Mandy tapped a finger against her chin. “Who do I know that’s smart and helpful enough to help?” She snapped her fingers. “I know, Dr. Poole. You’ve met him, correct?” Mandy leaned in, eyes bright like a wolf’s as it stalked its prey.
“Did you come over here for something?” Ariel said.
“Oh, yeah, I’m avoiding your mother-in-law because she’s recruited my mother to strong-arm me into teaching Sunday school. But forget that,” she said, waving a hand dismissively, “I heard about you going to Matt’s, and I want all the tea.”
“Tea? Stay off Urban Dictionary, Mandy.”
She laughed and put down her empty milk carton. “Spill.”
“I’ve lived here for more than five years, and I still don’t understand that,” Ariel said.
“What?” Mandy replied, eyes questioning.
“How news travels so fast. I haven’t even digested the meal and you already know about it. How is that even possible?”
“’Cause we’re all gossipy hens with nothing to do but cluck. Now cluck.”
Ariel rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You could give Superman a run for his money,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“Mild-mannered schoolteacher by day, ruthless gossip by night. What would the proud parents of Thornehill Elementary say if they knew that when you weren’t slathering their darlings with book learning, you moonlight for MediaTakeOut?”
“You know I don’t spread it around, but that doesn’t mean I can’t listen. I’m listening,” she said.
Ariel laughed. “Whatever, Wendy Williams. I simply had a meal with the man.”
“At his house,” she said, eyes widening.
“With a four-year-old chaperone,” Ariel added.
“Still…it was just you two,” Mandy said.
“No, me and him and
Dani
. You know, my child.”
The other woman’s eyes lit. “So it was just the two of you, no one else around,” she said.
Ariel chuckled. “It was just us. Does that mean something?”
“Yes! It’s great. And it’s about time.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that we all loved Daniel, but despite what Matilda might think or want, you don’t have to put on your mourning clothes and pine after him for the rest of your life.
He
certainly wouldn’t have wanted that.”
Ariel sobered, the moment turning serious on a dime. “It was cool, but there’s nothing there.”
“You didn’t hit it off? You’ve seemed to get along whenever I’ve seen you together.”
“It wasn’t that kind of thing, Mandy. Just a friendly gesture.”
“So why do you look so serious?”
“Because if you, who should know better,” Ariel said pointedly, tilting her head in Mandy’s direction, “think that, I can’t imagine what everyone else will think.”
“Well, Matilda will paint you as the whore of Babylon,” Mandy said.
“And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel meant something to this town and Dani is going to grow up here. I can’t do anything to dishonor him or that might reflect badly on her.”
Mandy shot her a get-real look. “So what, you’ll stay alone forever? And besides, people respect Matt, too. And it’s not like you’re barflying around Mason’s. Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” she added quickly.
“’Cause you know so much about barflying.”
“We aren’t talking about me. And you know I’m right. At some point, you have to live again,” she said.
“I’m living,” Ariel replied.
“You know what I mean, Ariel,” Mandy said. Then her friend shrugged. “But what do I know? The last man who asked me out was ten.”
••••
“Do we have everything, Dani?” Ariel asked the next morning.
“Yep!” she replied, looking around the empty grass.
“Well, then, let’s go before it gets too hot,” she said as she slung her backpack on her shoulder and then grabbed Dani’s hand and set off.
Last night, after two more cartons of milk and who knew how much more gossip, Mandy had finally determined her mother was probably in bed and headed home. When Ariel was alone, she’d turned their conversation over in her mind, surprised that Mandy was so gung ho. Mandy and Daniel had grown up together, and she’d been Matilda’s choice, but what could have been awkward had turned into an amazing friendship. Mandy had welcomed her with open arms, had been there in the horrible days and months after Daniel died, and had been there ever since.
Ariel loved the woman and valued her opinion. But still…
She felt something for Matt; her behavior and the compulsion to flirt with him had sprung up from nowhere, making it impossible to deny. But,
but
she knew where her energy needed to be. And as she’d drifted off last night, she knew the decision was right.
And she still felt that way this morning. The bright sunshine, and Dani’s happy laughter as she’d played in the park, confirmed her confidence in the choice. This was what it was about, keeping her little girl happy. They walked down Thorne, headed home for lunch.
“Dr. Matt!” Dani exclaimed, drawing Ariel’s attention up to where, sure enough, Matt approached.
“Hey, Dani-girl!”
He came to a stop in front of them and lowered his hand for Dani’s energetic high five. He glanced at Ariel quickly, and then smiled down at the girl.
“You taking Mommy to the park?”
“We’re actually headed home. What about you?” Ariel said.
“Post office.”
They stood silently for a moment until Dani interjected.
“I’m tired, Mommy.”
“We’re almost there, baby.”
“Can I have a piggyback ride?”
Ariel looked down at her daughter’s imploring face.
“You’re a big girl now, right? And I have to carry the bag.”
Dani poked her bottom lip out but sucked it back in at Ariel’s sharp glare. Then the girl looked over at Matt. His eyes widened, but then he smiled.
“Would you like a piggyback ride, Dani?”
“Yes!” she screamed, face brightening.
“Matt, that’s not…”
“It’s fine.” Then he kneeled. “Up you go.”
Dani jumped on his back and though he didn’t move a millimeter, he let out an oomph and made a big show of trying to stand. He finally stood and then looked over his shoulder.
“Hold on tight, Dani. Okay?”
She nodded and squeezed his neck tight, her tiny arm across his larynx. Matt lifted a corner of his mouth, held Dani’s forearm and then stared at Ariel expectantly.
“You ready, Dani?” he asked.
“Matt…” Ariel said.
“Yes!”
“All right. We better go before Mommy gets jealous.”
As he started to walk, he glanced at Ariel, face mischievous—so unlike his usual reserved demeanor.
“Are you jealous, Ariel?” he asked. “Don’t be. I told you I’ll give you a ride anytime.”
Despite herself, Ariel chuckled. “I’m not, Dr. Matt. Is your back strong enough?”
“Only one way to find out,” he returned.
Ariel’s face flamed, but she kept her eyes on him. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that.”
“Yeah! Rides anytime!” Dani exclaimed.
The girl’s high-pitched voice and innocent, childish words were like a fire hose on the fire that had suddenly sprung up between her and Matt. She looked away then, mentally chiding herself. She’d resolved not to do this, but here she was yet again acting shameless, and in front of her daughter no less.
When they approached her house, Ariel was relieved, but that relief was short-lived when she saw Matilda standing in her driveway, hands on her hips, glaring at Matt, Ariel, and Dani as they approached.
“Mrs. Mallick,” Matt said when they got closer.
Matilda eyed Matt like he was a space alien, but her expression softened a bit when she looked up at Dani.
“Danielle, get down and give Granny a hug,” she said.