Winter Reunion (16 page)

They continued down the block, past the quilting shops, the high-end galleries, the boutiques with price tags carefully hidden from the stares of passersby.

“So how come you didn't remarry?”

She'd thought he'd missed the tone in her voice, and
she'd just breathed an inner sigh of relief. Now, his question sucker punched her in the midsection.

“I…date. I've met wonderful guys and enjoyed their company, but I like my life as it is. I'm content, aren't you? We both ended up with what we wanted, or we'd be leading totally different lives right now. Totally.” She was embarrassed, and she was
babbling
and couldn't seem to stop. “I mean…being single means you can do what you want, when you want, and not answer to anyone.”

At his continuing silence as they took a right and the Walker Building came into view, she ventured a quick glance at him. At least he wasn't laughing…or worse, radiating sympathy for the pathetic ex-wife who apparently had no life.

He stopped in front of the building, where a new forest-green sign was leaning against the front. “What do you think of the sign?”

Old-fashioned gilt letters swirled out the name
Sloane Sports
—nearly identical to the style of the sign over at the boardinghouse. “It's beautiful. Great name, too…easy to remember.”

He stared down at her, his eyes intent and searching her own. “I really enjoyed walking with you. Maybe another time?”

“Just holler if you see me. I try to get out every day, rain or shine.”

He strolled away and she continued on to her store, reining in the temptation to look back.

Just a walk. A casual conversation. Nothing more than she'd do with anyone else in town…yet she could
still feel the tingle in the hand he'd held, still felt that little sense of loss when he'd released it.

And there was no use denying it to herself. The old chemistry was still there, at least for her, and it fanned brighter every time she ran into him, no matter how brief and innocuous the meeting. She wouldn't let it go further. But how hard was it going to be with him establishing his business just down the street?

Her heart caught painfully at the thought. What would it be like when he brought a girlfriend back to town someday, or even a wife?

She closed her eyes. Said a little prayer.

Then she hurried on to her meeting with the Happy Frogs, and hoped she'd someday be able to forget her feelings for Devlin Sloane.

B
eth cradled her mug of hot tea with both hands and studied Sophie's worried expression. “You've just got one semester left, right? Surely things will work out.”

Sophie fingered the wedding rings she still wore on her right hand. “I hope so…but it's all like a house of cards, just waiting for the first breeze. My financial aid is half what it was last year, and now the restaurant is cutting back its hours over the winter, because business has been slow.”

“Maybe you can pick up another job?”

“I'll sure try, but it's tricky, with my long commute and my class schedule. And in the spring we'll have long hours of practicum at the hospital.” A corner of her mouth rose in a wry grin. “My life sounds like quite a soap opera, doesn't it?”

“I think you are
amazing.
Just think of what you're doing—raising a son, going to school full-time, supporting yourself. How many people could do what you're doing? Just getting into the physical therapy program
was tough. I can't imagine how difficult those classes are. You need a T-shirt with Super Mommy on it.”

Sophie broke into laughter. “Stop. You're making me blush.”

“Well, it's true. I'm so proud of you. When Rob died, you were so devastated that you didn't know where to turn. And look at you now.”

“Well…I just hope I can continue. My parents are talking about moving again. They want to start spending their winters down south, before they're too old to enjoy it…or make it their year-round home. And they
should,
if that's what they want.”

“But then you won't have them to watch over Eli.”

“It's selfish of me, I know…but Eli can be a handful, and he needs consistency. I'm praying that they'll stay here just one more winter so I can finish college and get a decent job.” She bit her lower lip. “They've just been wonderful, letting him stay there on weekends so I can pick up some extra shifts at the restaurant. And after school…”

“No one can care for a child like his grandma,” Beth said with a smile.

“Especially one with special needs. And they refuse to let me pay them a nickel, which is a blessing because money has been so tight.”

“If they do go, you'll need someone every day after school and on the weekends, right?”

“Not every day. It'll depend on my spring class schedule during the week. And I'm hoping for more regular waitress shifts on Friday and Saturday nights, because the tips are better.”

“Do you think he'd be willing to come to the bookstore after school?”

Sophie's eyes widened. “I wasn't hinting. I know you're not in the day-care business. And what single gal wants to spend her Friday and Saturday nights babysitting?”

“The weekdays are no problem. I'm at the store from ten until nine in the evening anyway.” Beth took another sip of her peach tea. “He could have supper with me if need be. And the weekends…we could work that out. If you can arrange something else, fine…but otherwise, I can help.”

Sophie blinked and sat back in her chair, her eyes wide. “You are the most wonderful, best friend ever.
Ever.
I won't impose on you like that, but the fact that you'd even offer is just incredible.”

“It's not imposing. And I'll be disappointed if you don't let him come over on the weekdays at least.” Beth grinned. “He's a good kid, and he always behaves well at the store. And hey, since I'm destined to be a childless, crotchety old spinster, I'll consider it a favor if I can enjoy him for a while.”

“Thank you,” Sophie said fervently. “Maybe my parents will stay in town. But just knowing there's another good option is such a relief.” She paused, then her eyes took on a wicked gleam. “But I don't know about this ‘crotchety old spinster' stuff. Maybe you and I should try one of those online dating services after I graduate, just to see who is out there. Maybe there's an Adonis with a PhD, just around the corner. A perfect Mr. Right.”

Beth smiled, but shook her head. “I had my experience with a Mr. Right—I truly thought he was. But after that, I think I'll just be happier to live alone.”

 

Beth walked into Sloane House and inhaled the wonderful aromas of sage, parsley, butter and onion. Lots and
lots
of melted butter.

“Oh, my word. This is incredible,” she breathed. “Someone is making dressing for Thanksgiving tomorrow, and I don't think I can wait until then.”

From the settee in the parlor, Frank waved his cane at her and laughed. “Imagine coming home to this today, after almost four weeks in the hospital. Home cooking, and Thanksgiving to boot.”

“I'm just thankful for the invitation tomorrow.” She walked into the parlor and leaned over to give him a hug, careful to avoid the leg propped up on a footstool and pillows. “Maybe we can raid the kitchen when Elana and Reva aren't looking.”

“Maybe.” Frank gave her speculative look. “I hear you're bringing pecan and peach pies, and cranberry-orange bread. Is that pecan pie good?”

“My grandma's recipes, all of them. So I don't dare tamper with them.” She winked at him as she sat on one of the carved walnut chairs flanking the settee. “I'd be in the doghouse until
next
Thanksgiving if I did.” She looked around, curious. “Where is everyone?”

“Carl is puttering on his car. Cody and the women-folk are in the kitchen.” Frank raised an eyebrow. “And in case you're interested, Dev brought me home from
the hospital and then had to leave right away for a noon appointment at the VA in St. Paul.”

“The hospital?”

“Something about a required second checkup. He looked mighty tense about it, too. I think he has a lot riding on a clean bill of health. It's already almost eight o'clock, so he oughta be home be now, wouldn't you think?”

She sank against the back of her chair.

Dev had made no secret of his plans to go back into active service as soon as he'd healed and had satisfied his commitment to Vivian's will. He'd been crushed when his first VA appointment revealed that he no longer qualified for active service. Permanently. So what was this about? If the Marines had some sort of change of heart, would he disappear into the Middle East again for years?

A hollow, aching place in her heart started to grow.

“You could convince him to stick around, you know,” Frank mused. “He might find Aspen Creek is the very place he should put down roots.”

“I don't think anyone will convince him of that. He'll follow his heart…and I have a feeling it's anywhere but here.” She stood and looked out the window toward the cottage, where she could see the glow of a solitary lamp through the living room curtains. “Does he leave lights on when he goes?”

“I've never noticed. If you see a light in there, maybe you should check it out.” Frank chuckled. “You can get a start on letting him know why he should stay around.”

Grabbing her purse and keys, she headed for the front door. “Great to have you back, Frank. See you tomorrow!”

 

Darkness had fallen, but silvery moonlight filtered through the thick, bare branches overhead, creating paisley designs of light and shadow on the stone walk. A nervous flutter started dancing in her stomach when she reached up to knock on the door, but the door was ajar, so she gently pushed it with her fingertips. It swung wide with a soft creak.

Bent over at the antique oak desk near the fireplace, Dev jerked upward at the sound and spun around, his face tense and drawn.

“I hear you went to the VA today. How did it go?”

The expression in his eyes grew dark, unreadable. “They wanted a final checkup on my shoulder, and I asked them to reexamine my hearing. There's actually been some improvement in my hearing—something the previous doc said would never happen.” A half smile tilted one corner of his mouth. “The shoulder is still weak, but maybe I'll defy the odds. They told me to report to North Carolina. If the docs there agree, I may have another chance for combat duty.”

The room seemed to fall away as she processed his words. “What about Sloane House? Your inheritance?”

“I talked to Nora. She said she couldn't in good conscience force a soldier to stay home over this, especially since you live here permanently and the residents have been making such good progress. They've made
some really positive comments about both of us, which helped.”

“So, y-you're leaving. Just like that.”

“It's been my life. I feel…cast adrift. Everyone I know is in the military.”

“Not everyone,” she said softly. She moved closer and rested a hip against the overstuffed chair by the fireplace, not trusting her knees. After years of trying to forget him, her traitorous heart had fallen for him all over again. “You have people who are like family right here in town. Carl and Reva and Cody.”
And me.
“People who care. What about your store? And Frank?”

He rubbed his jaw. “Frank is a natural. He reads up on everything, and is turning into quite an encyclopedia on the sports merchandise we offer. And he's great with the customers. He'll be a wonderful manager whether I'm around or not.”

“But…you once said that you never wanted to be behind a desk.”

Dev turned and rested his hands on her shoulders and brushed a brief kiss against her forehead. “Apparently that's no longer an issue. On the way to the base I need to do some thinking.”

She savored the warmth of his hands and the sweet, electric sensation of his gentle kiss, not wanting to read anything more into the reassuring gesture that it was.

Because soon he'd walk right back out of her life.

M
aura stopped at the entryway of the bookstore, dropped her bags at her feet and swooped close for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I'm so glad to be home for Christmas,” she said, her bangle bracelets clinking and gauzy scarves shimmering in the glow of the twinkling Christmas lights strung around the interior of the store. “It was wonderful that Olivia had to pick up her daughter at the airport, so she could give me a ride.”

“I can't believe you're here.” Beth hugged her back. “How long can you stay?”

“Just a few days. But I'm thinking of moving back this coming year, if I can sell the gallery. A health scare can sure affect one's priorities, and losing two assistant managers in the past three months has been the last straw.” Maura stepped back and held Beth's shoulders, her eyes shining with tears. “I've missed you, sweetheart.”

Long after Maura had gone upstairs to unpack, Beth paced through the bookstore. She'd gone over the day's receipts, feeling lonelier than she had in months.

Even the twinkling icicle lights in the bay window and the pine-scented candle burning on the counter by the cash register didn't lift her mood.

She hadn't seen Dev since just after Thanksgiving, and Frank said that he'd left for Camp Le Jeune a week ago.

Dev hadn't even stopped to say goodbye. Which was just as well, because the warmth in his gaze had faded right after Thanksgiving, and their relationship had faded right along with it.

If she'd begun to imagine anything more from him, she'd been a fool a second time around, and she deserved what she got…though a weight heavy as an anvil pressed down on her chest as she took one last glance around the store and blew out the single fragrant candle, then shoved her cell phone into her coat pocket.

Frank had been opening Sloane Sports each day, though, with the help of two new clerks, and it appeared that the influx of Christmas shoppers coming to Aspen Creek from the surrounding cities had really taken to the new store. With his new full-time job and the one Reva had accepted at a local jewelry store, they were now planning a small Christmas Eve wedding and a move to a small rental house across town, and Beth couldn't remember ever seeing a couple so giddy, so totally in love…made all the sweeter in two people approaching the autumn of their lives.

Carl was finally receiving his disability payments, and he'd started to work part-time at Sloane Sports as well, so he was beginning to think about independent living, too.

And Elana—Beth smiled, thinking about how she'd blossomed at the bookstore during the hectic Christmas rush. The way she'd calmly stood up to several difficult male customers and handled their complaints had been a real turning point in her self-confidence. Cody had been making great strides, too, nurtured under the loving wings of his two foster granddads at the boardinghouse, along with Dev, whenever he was around.

These were the most important people to worry about, and they were now moving into their new lives more quickly than she'd ever expected. So if her own life was a mess, she knew it would just take time to get back on track—and the beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service next week would surely do the trick.

But now Elana could close up for the night, and it was time to go upstairs. At least with Maura back for a visit, the Christmas decorations and twinkling lights wouldn't seem quite as lonely.

Snow had blanketed the cars on the street, and still swirled under the street lamps like weightless diamonds as she stepped outside the store and fitted her key into the dead bolt of the door leading upstairs.

A shadow fell across the landing and she raised a hand in greeting. “The store is still open—go right on in.”

“I'm not here for the books. I've come back for you.”

Startled at hearing the deep timbre of his familiar voice, Beth turned and stared at Dev, still not believing that he'd come. “I thought you'd left for good. Y-you didn't even say goodbye.”

“I knew I wanted to be here more than anywhere else in the world, so when the VA docs out East offered a medical discharge based on my shoulder injury, I didn't have to think too hard about it.”

There'd been a heavy weight around her heart for so many years that she'd come to accept it. But now part of it lifted at his words. “What did you decide?”

“Given my previous injuries and my shoulder, I accepted the medical discharge. I'll be home for good, Beth…if you think you can stand having me around.”

She stared up at him in wonderment. “Y-you're going to stay? Here in Aspen Creek?”

He dropped a kiss on her forehead, then a longer one on her lips. “I need to, because I want to spend the rest of my life trying to convince you that we still have a chance together…if you'll let me.”

Joy washed through her, along with a feeling of completion that she'd never expected to experience again. “Absolutely.”

The door of the store opened, sending golden light across the snowy sidewalk, and Elana and Cody stepped outside.

“Welcome home, Dev,” Elana said, her eyes shining. “Welcome home.”

Cody giggled. “Are you going to kiss her
again?
”

Dev laughed as he looked down at Beth with a world of love in his eyes. “If I could kiss her every day for the rest of my life, I'd be the happiest man on earth.”