Just a Touch Away

by Chris Paynter

  Lindsey chuckled. “We need to stop. I think.”

  “You’re right. I need to get back. Paige and I are going out to lunch later.”

  “Damn. I was hoping I could talk you into staying longer.” Lindsey kissed Cloe’s neck and nibbled her earlobe.

  “You’re not making it easy to go.”

  “Good.”

  “Will you scan these and email them to your editor?”

  “No. I’m overnighting them so Sylvia and Barry in the art department get the full effect,” Lindsey said. “I have to go into Bloomington to have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law this evening. On my way to the restaurant, I’ll stop by FedEx before they close.”

  Cloe finished off her orange juice and picked up her portfolio, minus her artwork. She started toward the door.

  Lindsey joined her. “Since I know they’ll love your work, how about we celebrate Friday night with dinner in Bloomington? My treat.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “It’s not that I have to. I want to. What do you say?”

  “Of course I’d love to have dinner with you.”

  Lindsey walked her to the door. “I’ll make the reservations for six-thirty and come by to pick you up at five. Does that work for you?”

  “Yes.” Cloe slapped her forehead. “Crap. I was so excited to show you the art that I almost forgot your grocery order.”

  Lindsey followed her to the truck. Cloe lifted the crate out of the back and handed it to Lindsey. “Oh, Mom said the Oreos won’t be delivered at the store until later this week, so you won’t get them until your next order.”

  Lindsey groaned. “Guess I’ll need to ration what I have.”

  “I think you’ll survive,” Cloe said with a wink.

  “I’ll call you as soon as I hear from Sylvia.”

  “Great.”

  “Be safe going home.”

  “I will. Bye, Fred!” Cloe hollered as she climbed into the driver’s seat of her truck.

  Fred gave a little bark goodbye.

  * * *

  “Lindsey was happy, huh?”

  “Yup.” Cloe poured ketchup on her burger and took a big bite. “God, I love their hamburgers here.”

  “And their coney dogs aren’t bad, either.” Paige took a bite and swiped her mouth with a napkin. “Remember to save room for our sundaes.”

  “Please. Have I ever not saved room?”

  Paige scrunched up her face. “Uh, no.” She took another bite, set her coney dog down, and wiped her hands. “You’ve never shown me your artwork. Knowing you, I’m sure you took pics on your iPhone.”

  Cloe set her burger aside, used her napkin, and grabbed her phone. She opened the Photos app to the ones she’d taken of the art and slid the phone across the table.

  Paige picked up the phone and gasped. “My God, Cloe. These are so good.” She swiped the photo to go through the others. When she finished, she teared up.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Paige sniffed.

  “Seriously, are you okay?”

  Paige dabbed her eyes. “I’m fine. I’m so proud of you. I knew you were talented, but this proves it even more. I’m also sure this will lead to a contract not only with Lindsey’s publisher, but with others. I can see you doing this for a living, Cloe.”

  “I don’t know.” The idea still scared her a little.

  “I do. You always sell yourself short. You’ll be the next rage in children’s books illustrators.”

  Cloe gave a nervous laugh. “Let’s not get carried away.”

  Paige grabbed her coney dog and took a big bite. “Just wait,” she said around the food.

  “Paige, you’re always my biggest fan. Well, aside from my parents.”

  “As I should be. I’m your best friend, after all.” She paused in her eating. “Although. . .”

  “Although?”

  “I think Lindsey might push ahead of me as your biggest fan.”

  Cloe shoved a French fry around her pool of ketchup on her plate.

  “Quit being so shy. This woman seems really into you, and not only about the kissy kissy stuff.”

  At that, Cloe raised her head.

  “She thinks you’re talented enough to recommend you to her publisher. That counts for a lot, in my opinion.” Paige polished off her hotdog and brushed her hands together to emphasize her point.

  “They needed an illustrator at the last minute. I think that had a lot to do with it.”

  Paige sat back in the bench and crossed her arms over her chest. “Let’s make a bet.”

  “About what?”

  “I bet you. . . hmm. I bet you a month of sundaes here that once your work is out, other publishers will want to hire you. You won’t even have to contact them. In fact, you’ll have to tell some ‘no’ because you’ll be swamped.”

  “A month of sundaes?”

  Paige nodded.

  “Gosh, that could entail a lot of sundaes if we come here more than once a week.”

  A flicker of doubt flashed across Paige’s face, but then she stuck her chin out defiantly. “I don’t care how many times we come here, because I’m going to win.” She held out her hand. “Shake on it?”

  Cloe clasped her hand. “Sure, since I know you’re overselling my talent.”

  “We’ll see.”

  * * *

  Cloe straightened the back shelves of the store. Only Tammy and she held down the store. Her parents had left for lunch at a diner down the street. They had quite a few customers when she’d returned from lunch with Paige. She hadn’t talked to her mom and dad yet about Lindsey’s reaction and was anxious for their return.

  Cloe found herself humming again to the 70s music piped into the store. Her parents would often share a long look when a particular song played. She again yearned for the same connection with that special someone. Someone with whom she shared enough years to have those precious memories.

  She glanced at her watch. It was almost one. Tammy said her parents left around eleven. She thought they would’ve been back by now.

  As that crossed her mind, the bell on the door jingled and she heard her mother call out a hello to Tammy. A few muted words later, her parents rounded the aisle and stared at her expectantly.

  Fiona thrust out her hands, her eyebrows raised. “So?”

  “Don’t leave us in suspense,” Chuck said.

  Cloe laughed. “You haven’t given me time to speak.” She wanted to tease them a little longer, but her mom looked like she was about to shake it out of her. “Lindsey loved the work I brought her. She’s overnighting it by mail. We should hear from her publisher tomorrow. We hope.”

  “Oh, honey.” Fiona wrapped her in a hug.

  “We’re so proud of you,” Chuck said as he joined in hugging her.

  Cloe choked up. “I couldn’t do this without you,” she said around a sniffle.

  Fiona backed up and used both thumbs to wipe the tears from Cloe’s cheeks. “We love you. We always knew you could do it.”

  “Yes,” her dad said. He squeezed her shoulder. “You needed confidence in yourself and your talent. We saw it at an early age.”

  “You were there for every art contest, every art showing. I love you both so much.” Cloe threw her arms around their necks.

  They stood there in a group hug until Tammy’s voice interrupted them. “Uh, there’s a customer up front who’s asking when we’ll get more Coke Zero in.”

  “All right,” Chuck said. “I’ll let them know.” He followed Tammy up front but turned to flash a smile and a thumbs-up to Cloe.

  “You’ll hear from Lindsey tomorrow for sure?” Fiona asked.

  “She said she’d let me know as soon as her editor contacted her.”

  “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? To celebrate.”

  “Mom, we don’t know for sure yet.”

  “It’s only a matter of twenty-four hours, honey.”

  Cloe smiled and shook her head
as her mother walked to the counter.

  * * *

  Lindsey pulled out of the parking lot in the strip mall that housed the FedEx shop. She wasn’t lying to Cloe or trying to give her false hope. She was certain Sylvia and Barry in the art department would love Cloe’s work. She’d already called Sylvia to tell her the package was on its way.

  On her drive to the restaurant, she thought about the dinner she was about to go to. She’d talked to her brother a few times since their lunch, but it’d been nothing more than a check-in to see how the other was doing. She hadn’t had dinner with David and Gayle together for several months. She was looking forward to it.

  She spotted David’s SUV in the parking lot and pulled into the adjacent slot. The steakhouse was one of their favorites. Gayle didn’t necessarily care for steak, but the place had a good seafood selection, as well.

  She entered the restaurant and was about to ask the hostess for their table when she saw David waving at her from the back of the restaurant. She walked over.

  “Gayle, it’s so good to see you,” Lindsey said as she hugged Gayle who’d stood up.

  “You, too, Lindsey.”

  David gave her a big hug before sitting down next to Gayle.

  Their server filled their water glasses and asked if they knew what they’d like to drink.

  “Just water for me,” Lindsey said.

  “Hey, I’m paying for dinner tonight. At least order something other than water.”

  “All right. Nothing alcoholic, though. How about iced tea?”

  Their server nodded. “For you, ma’am?” she asked Gayle.

  “Water.”

  That was a little unusual. Gayle typically ordered a glass of wine when they went out.

  “I’ll take a Bud Light,” David said.

  After the server walked away, Lindsey asked, “So, what’s new?” It was then that she noticed the glow emanating from Gayle’s face. Maybe it was a trick of the light, but Lindsey didn’t think so.

  “Gayle, you look fantastic. It’s like you’re glowing.”

  Gayle turned to David and grabbed his hand that rested on the table. They shared a smile.

  “Go ahead and tell her, honey,” David said.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Lindsey’s heart leaped at the words. She always thought that was an expression, but she felt her heart literally leap inside her chest. She immediately jumped to her feet and pulled Gayle into her arms. “Oh, Gayle. I’m so happy for you.” She swiped at her own cheeks and grabbed her brother for another hug. “I’m happy for you both.” She took her seat again. “How far along are you?”

  Gayle glanced at David. “We found out last week.”

  “And you didn’t call me, Davey?”

  “I thought it’d be better if we went out to celebrate.”

  “Here we are,” Lindsey said.

  “I wasn’t sure if we should share this yet, but I knew Davey wouldn’t be able to keep it from his big sister.”

  Lindsey grinned at David. “You would be correct.”

  The server returned with their drinks and took their orders. Lindsey and David ordered their typical sirloins with baked potatoes. Gayle ordered a seafood platter.

  Gayle gave Lindsey a wicked smile. “David tells me you’re interested in someone.”

  Lindsey glared at David. “I told him I’d made a new friend.”

  “And you really liked her,” David said. When Lindsey was about to open her mouth, he held up his hand. “You didn’t argue with me, remember?”

  “Okay. Yes, I really like her. Her name is Cloe. She works at her parents’ grocery store where I get my supplies, but she’s also a fantastic artist.”

  “You didn’t tell me that part,” David said.

  “I didn’t know. At least I didn’t know just how good she was until she showed me her work. You know Shirley? My illustrator?”

  Gayle nodded. “I remember you loving her illustrations.”

  “Unfortunately, she’s retiring because of arthritis in her hands. I asked Cloe if she’d like to give it a shot.”

  Gayle appeared relieved. “Does this mean you’re going back to writing your Bobby books?”

  “No, at least not right now.”

  “But—” David started to say.

  “I’ve already come up with a different storyline. One my editor and publisher approved. It’s based on Fred.”

  Gayle smiled. “That’s only fitting since you always told us you based Bobby on Eric.” She reached across the table for Lindsey’s hand. “It hurt my heart knowing you were suffering so much you couldn’t work.”

  “I think this will help in the healing.”

  Gayle gave Lindsey’s hand one last squeeze. “You’ll have to show us your work when you feel comfortable in sharing.”

  The server carried out their dinners, and they each tucked in to eat.

  Gayle wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Can you tell us more about you and Cloe?”

  Lindsey set down her fork. “I’m not sure where it’s going, but it’s good to feel happy again.”

  Gayle beamed. “Then we’re happy for you.” She turned to her husband. “Right?”

  “Won’t get an argument out of me,” he said around a bite of steak. He swallowed. “We’d like to meet her.”

  Gayle turned back to Lindsey. “Yes.” She hurriedly added, “But only when you feel comfortable.”

  Lindsey hadn’t thought she would say yes, but she found herself saying, “I think Cloe would like that.” At their surprised expressions, she added, “And so would I.”

  Chapter 12

  The next day, Lindsey hollered, “Ready for our walk, Fred?” She grabbed her lightweight backpack and slung it over her shoulder. Fred did what could only be described as a doggy happy dance at the door. “It was the ‘w’ word, wasn’t it, boy?” She clipped the leash on his collar. “We’re going on a little longer trail today. Does that work for you?” He looked up at her with his light-brown eyes and gave her his best imitation of a grin. “Guess it does.” On the way to the door, she snatched her cell phone off the arm of the recliner.

  She walked Fred to the Jeep and opened the passenger side door. She helped him onto the seat, but he didn’t stay in place as he followed her progress around the back of the Jeep. She dropped her backpack behind the driver’s side and got into her seat. They drove down one of the roads leading to a trail that ended at the base of the lake. She pulled into the lot, happy to see only one or two other cars. Good. She needed a little time to herself.

  She grabbed her backpack and secured it over her shoulders. When she opened the passenger door, Fred immediately hopped down. He circled around her feet and whined. She grabbed his leash and quickly untangled her legs. “I know, I know. You’re raring to get down that trail, huh? We haven’t been on this one in a while.” Soon, they made it to the entrance of the trail.

  As they walked, she tried not to be anxious that she hadn’t heard from Sylvia yet. She needed to take into consideration that the package just got there an hour ago. She checked her tracking number, and it showed it as “delivered” and signed for. She pulled out her cell phone and double-checked she had enough bars. At times, the service got sketchy when she walked down the trails.

  Fred trotted beside her, happy to be out in nature. She often wondered how he kept up with his stubby legs. But he never lagged behind, at least not until they were climbing up the hill on the way back to the parking lot. Even she sometimes struggled to make the last several yards, her quads straining at the effort.

  A squirrel skittered across their path, and Lindsey had to hold onto the leash extra tight when Fred barked and lunged. Chipmunks seemed to fascinate him. Squirrels? Squirrels were an arch enemy.

  “Whoa, Fred. Even if I let you loose, they’re always too fast for you. You haven’t learned that yet?” He looked up at her as if to say, “Give me another chance.” She leaned down and patted his side. “It’s okay. You’re not the only dog who thinks
he can catch one of them.”

  They continued on the path, not encountering any other hikers. Lindsey inhaled the fresh scent of the forest around them. The only sound heard was the soft crunching of her hiking boots and Fred’s paws in the underbrush. Because they were heading downhill, it didn’t take them long to reach the end of the trail that led to an opening facing the lake. A couple passed her on their way back up the trail. They murmured a quiet hello as Lindsey continued on to a large rock at the edge of the lake. She visited here many times in the days and months after Eric’s death. She settled back on the rock, and Fred plopped beside her, seemingly content to watch the waves ripple to the shore.

  Lindsey pulled out her phone to make sure she didn’t miss a text and checked again she had turned up the ringer. She hesitated as she was about to slide the phone back into her jeans. Her thumb hovered over the Photo app icon. She knew what was on there. Was she ready to look at them again? She took a deep breath and tapped on the icon. She scrolled back to photos from three years ago. She’d saved the photos to her hard drive and on her cloud, but she wanted to keep them here on her phone, too. Here where she could see Eric anytime she could bear the memories.

  The first photos were of the last Christmas before he got sick. He was grinning that gap-toothed smile as he held up a video game he’d asked for. She remembered Gayle and David glaring at her. They tried to cut back. She couldn’t help it. He was always so happy with anything she bought him. The next photo was of Eric with a new baseball glove. He had listened attentively as she’d explained how to break the glove in with neat’s-foot oil. When Lindsey had glanced up, Elise rolled her eyes. But when she looked at David, he was smiling fondly, probably remembering when she’d explained the finer tricks of rubbing in the oil when he was a boy.

  She flipped through a few more photos, coming to an abrupt stop when she saw the ones of his pale face. At the time, she remembered wondering why his pallor had changed. Then the bruising started, the fatigue. Nothing was the same after that.

  She blinked away tears. She should be focused on David and Gayle’s happy news. She was about to shove her phone back into her pocket when it rang. Sylvia. She took a deep breath and hooked up the call.