by Olivia Miles
He waited a beat, about to give up, when Violet said in a soft voice, “Maybe some ice cream.”
Ben almost pointed out that it was below freezing and the wind was picking up, but then thought the better of it. The kid wanted ice cream. And ice cream she would have.
“I seem to recall seeing a place around here,” he said, leading her by the hand. They hurried another block, until the familiar sign with the drawing of the sun came into view. Ben grinned. Finally, something was going right today.
His tread was lighter all the way to the front door, until he glanced through the window and saw nothing but empty chairs and tables. An old jukebox in the back corner. He tried the door, relieved to find it moved, that he wouldn’t need to let his daughter down yet again, no matter how small the way.
No one was behind the counter, and for a moment Ben wondered if the place really was open for business. He glanced at Violet, whose doleful eyes spoke his same sentiment, and chewed the inside of his lip, quickly weighing his options.
He was just about to give up when he heard a rustling of feet from the hall at the back of the room. He frowned as a woman came into view. It couldn’t be . . . Not . . . “Mary?”
Her eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise, and her cheeks grew pink. “Ben.” She walked toward them, her hips swaying in those tight jeans, her forehead pinching for one telling second as she dropped her gaze to Violet. Looking back to him, she said, “What brings you here?”
He tipped his head. The confusion in this instance was mutual. “Do you work here?”
Mary grinned. “I own it, actually.”
“It suits you,” he said, meaning it. He swept his eyes around the place, taking in the small tables that dotted the room, the pastel-hued palette, the modern touches in an otherwise old facility.
She seemed pleased to hear it. “Thanks. I think so too.”
His gaze roamed quickly over her soft camel sweater that scooped just low enough to reveal a smooth collarbone and the hint of something beyond. “Perhaps you can help us, then.” He noticed the way her brow furrowed on the word “us.”
“What can I do for you?” She tipped her head, locking her eyes with his, and he had the urge to look away, to not get sucked into her friendly disposition, her patient gaze, her small smile.
“It seems we’re in need of some ice cream,” he said, winking at Violet and giving her hand a little shake.
Finally, Mary turned her attention from him, and smiled warmly at his daughter. “Well, then, you’ve come to the right place.” She lifted her arm to the chalkboard sign above the counter. “Any flavor you’d like. And I even have sprinkles,” she added, smiling at Violet.
Ben studied the impressive list. Cherry cheesecake. Peaches and cream. Certainly not your run of the mill flavors. He slanted Mary a glance, feeling her watching him. “Do you make the ice cream yourself?”
“That I do,” she said. She dropped her attention to Violet. “In fact, I was about to make a fresh batch of raspberry white-chocolate chip. If you’re not in a hurry, you can help me.” She looked up at Ben for permission.
Ben rolled back on his heels, thinking of an excuse to be on his way, back to the apartment, where he and Violet could do their own thing, mind their own business, but then he caught the hopeful look in his daughter’s eyes. One he hadn’t seen since Dana had delivered the news the other night at the house.
“That sounds like a real treat,” he said.
“I’m Mary, by the way,” Mary said to Violet.
“This is my daughter,” Ben offered. “Violet.”
Mary’s eyes widened ever so slightly. “I see. What a lovely name! I bet your favorite color is purple.”
Violet’s eyes lit up, and she nodded her head, beaming. “How’d you know that?”
Mary tossed Ben a wink. “Lucky guess.”
“Well, Violet, the first thing you need to do is cover your pretty outfit with an apron.” She helped Violet out of her coat and then tied a cotton apron around her waist, careful to fold it over at the waist so it didn’t skim the floor. Violet giggled with delight as Mary led her behind the counter. She cocked an eyebrow in Ben’s direction. “You’re welcome to join in.”
“No, thanks,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’m happy to watch.” And he was. Happy to see the light return to his daughter’s eyes, the smile to her face.
He settled onto a stool and let his gaze wander over the room as Mary measured ingredients and helped Violet pour them into a bowl. “This is a nice place,” he mused. “How’d you come to own it?”
“Family business,” Mary explained, as she brought out a plastic container of oversized chocolate chips.
So that explained the ice cream social. It didn’t, however, explain all her other building initiatives. “You must keep busy,” he remarked, wondering how she found the time to bother with things like community yard sales.
“Oh.” Mary picked up a wooden spoon and began stirring some raspberries into a creamy concoction. “Yes, this store is my top priority, you might say.”
Ben wondered why he felt so disappointed. Sure she was pretty, but she was also annoying as hell with all her peppy signs and cheerful ideas. But it wasn’t like he was interested in her. He wasn’t interested in anyone. Especially another woman who made their job their top priority.
He frowned, thinking of Violet’s mother. She’d said she would try to call today. For Violet’s sake, he hoped she stuck to that promise.
“I hope you like raspberries,” Mary was saying now.
“They’re my mommy’s favorite fruit,” Violet said, and Ben’s pulse kicked with panic. Everything was going so well, and now . . . He held his breath, waiting for the fallout. “It’s too bad she isn’t here to enjoy them.”
Mary’s brow creased slightly. “Oh. Well, you can bring her some of this ice cream if you’d like,” she suggested.
“No.” Violet shook her head and stared at the ground. “She went away for a while. I’m living with Daddy now.”
Ben balled a fist at his side, waiting for the tears. Wishing there was something he could do. But all he could do was sit and watch. And wait. Mary met his eye and gave a sad smile. Ben swallowed hard, locking her gaze with his, feeling their warmth across the room.
“I see,” Mary said. “Well, when I’m feeling a little sad, do you know what always cheers me up?” She bent down and stage-whispered into Violet’s ear, “Ice cream!”
Violet’s eyes danced and she began to laugh. “Me too!”
“Then should we turn this into ice cream?” Mary asked, taking the bowl to a machine. Ben’s chest tightened at the ease with which she did this. Soon, Violet was laughing along with Mary, excitedly asking questions about the process, as if the earlier setback had never even happened. He had the urge to stand up and join in, but he stopped himself.
He held back, not wanting to ruin this, not wanting to interfere.
This was a step. One step at a time.
After the ice cream mixture was all in the machine, Mary made Violet her requested banana split and then turned to Ben. “Let me guess, lemon sorbet.”
Ben frowned. “How’d you guess?”
“Oh.” Mary’s pretty lips twisted into a pert little smile as she reached for a metal scooper. “It’s this little game I play. I like to guess which flavor people will choose. Most of the time I’m right, too.”
“And you guessed lemon sorbet for me because . . .” He tipped his head in question and met Mary’s knowing gaze. Of course. Because he was a little sour. Instead of feeling the brush of insult, he tipped back his head and laughed. The sound was unfamiliar, distant, like a part of himself that had gotten lost somewhere along the way. And maybe it had. “Okay, you got me. But we can’t all be as friendly as you.” He picked up his spoon as Mary slid a ruffle-edged glass bowl across the counter. The color was soft yellow, the texture creamy to the eye, and despite the fact that he would really prefer a hot cup of coffee to a cold bowl of sorbet,
he brought a scoop to his mouth.
“This is really good,” he said, eagerly dipping his spoon in again.
“You sound surprised,” Mary said, a hint of amusement in her tone as she leaned a hip into the counter. He caught her smile, the hint of the mirth in her big brown eyes, the way a few wisps of her auburn hair had come free of the ponytail that showed off her long, slender neck.
He swallowed the bite, looked down at his bowl. “I’m just surprised there isn’t a line out the door,” he said.
“Have you been outside lately?” she asked, repeating the very question he’d asked of her the other night. A mischievous smile danced through her eyes, but her smile seemed to slip.
“Touché,” he said, grinning.
“Winter is my slow season,” Mary sighed. “Other than a few birthday parties here and there, it’s just a trickle of customers throughout the day. It’s quiet, but I don’t mind so much.”
“Well, spring should be here in no time.”
She nodded firmly. “It should. But between you and me, I’m struggling to believe that.” She laughed, a light and airy sound that floated through the room, and then looked over at Violet, who was busy scraping the last of the whipped cream from her bowl. She smiled at what she saw, seeming nearly as satisfied with the visit as Ben. “Ice cream. Does the trick every time.”
“I’ll remember that,” Ben said, even though he hoped there wouldn’t be a next time. Maybe today’s outing had forced Violet from her bad mood at last. Maybe they could have a nice weekend together and then resume their new routine next week.
Or maybe the second they left here, she’d go back to being sullen and quiet.
His chest tightened as he opened his wallet and handed over a twenty, but his frown relaxed when his fingers brushed Mary’s, and a burst of electricity shot up his arm. He watched as she tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear and rang up his purchase, chatting happily with Violet, who was kneeling on her stool to study all the ice cream flavors in the glass case below.
“I guess I’ll see you around the building then,” he said. His voice felt thick and foreign, as if it didn’t belong to his own body.
Mary did a good job of concealing her own surprise, and Ben held his breath, wondering how she’d reply, if she’d say something snippy or sarcastic. God knew he deserved it. His hand still held the memory of her touch, and he suddenly realized he hoped to see her around the building. And soon.
Chapter Five
Well, one mystery was solved. Violet was not Ben’s wife, but rather, his completely adorable daughter. Mary tried to wrap her head around this information as she maneuvered her way over a snowbank on her way to Corner Beanery, where she was meeting Lila for Monday morning coffee, a new ritual in their lives since they no longer spent every weekend together as they did when they were roommates. She huddled against the cold, the wind almost taunting her, reminding her of her circumstances, and then she cursed as a cab swerved to a stop and splashed icy cold water against her coat.
So much for saving a few bucks by walking.
Lila was stepping out of a cab as Mary approached the coffee shop. Her sister looked fresh faced and put together. No traces of dirty water all over her winter white coat, Mary thought, looking down at her own black down parka.
“Hailey said her cousin was stopping by today,” Lila said, as she pulled open the door. She paused, and gave Mary the once-over. “Did you walk all the way here?”
“It’s not so far,” Mary said, but they both knew that wasn’t true. “And I needed the exercise.”
“I won’t ask you again about joining my gym,” Lila said with a smile.
Mary’s own expression was a little shaky as they stomped the snow from their boots on the mat in the vestibule. “You know the gym is expensive,” she said. It was the most she ever expressed about her budget; at first she hoped it relayed to Lila that she was being frugal, being wise with her money, but now she wondered if her sister saw something more in the statement.
From the casual shrug she gave before turning to look for Hailey, it didn’t seem so.
Hailey was foaming milk, chatting with a pretty blond-haired girl perched on a stool beside the espresso machine. “Girls, this is my cousin Claire.”
“Hailey mentioned you were staying with her for a while,” Lila said as they took their seats beside her.
“Hopefully not for long,” Claire said with a cheeky smile. She glanced at her cousin. “No offense.”
“None taken!” Hailey exclaimed as she poured the frothy milk into a mug. “It will be nice to see the floor again. I’ve almost forgotten what color it is!”
Claire blushed. “I was supposed to be moving across country,” she explained to Mary and Lila. “Instead, all of my belongings have ended up in Hailey’s one-bedroom apartment.”
“There might be some openings in my building,” Mary offered, and her mind again wandered back to Ben. He’d seemed different the other day at Sunshine Creamery. Softer. Maybe it was because he had his daughter with him, she mused. She definitely brought out his sweeter side.
“Thanks, but I first have to get a job,” Claire said. “I gave up the last one when I thought I was moving, and helping out here for a few hours a week isn’t going to cut it.”
Hailey was shaking her head, her mouth pinched in disapproval. “When I think of what that guy did to you.”
Claire just waved a hand through the air and took a sip of her latte. “It’s fine. Really. For the best.” She slid Mary a wry smile. “Or so I tell myself.”
“My last boyfriend dumped me on New Year’s Eve,” Mary confided. “How do you think that bodes for the rest of my year?” She grinned up at Hailey, who handed her a mug of her favorite coffee blend.
“I think it bodes very well!” Lila said firmly. “This year is a clean slate. The future is wide open.”
Mary tipped her chin and leveled her sister with a long look. “You sound like me.” Or how she once felt. It had been a while since she’d been that truly optimistic about anything. Sure, she tried to convince herself, tried to believe that everything would work out fine in the end, but more and more, she wasn’t so sure.
She frowned. For a moment, she envied her sister’s confidence. But then, her sister had a great job, a lovely apartment she could easily afford, and a handsome fiancé and a wedding on the horizon. Whereas Mary . . .
“You won’t find love with that attitude,” Lila scolded.
“Who said I was looking for love?” Mary replied.
“Well, why shouldn’t you be?” Lila said. “You’re young and pretty. Why let one bad experience spoil your future?”
But it wasn’t just one bad experience. She rarely met anyone, and when she did, it never became serious. Jason was the closest thing to a real boyfriend she’d ever had. She’d cared about him, maybe even loved him, and she’d dreamed of a future together. And he’d ended it without a glance back. The thought of going through that again was too much to think about.
“I’m perfectly happy without a man in my life,” Mary replied. “In fact, I’m happier. Now I can focus on Sunshine Creamery, and I don’t have to worry about random text messages breaking my heart.” She brought her mug to her lips and paused. “Did I mention he broke up with me via text?” she said to Claire.
One of Claire’s fine eyebrows lifted. “Nice.”
“Yeah,” Mary said, pursing her lips. “Real nice.”
“Jason was a jerk,” Lila said airily. “You’ll find someone else. You just have to be open to finding it. And, you need to get out more.”
“I’m out now!” Mary exclaimed. And yes, she did usually scan the coffee shop every time she entered, just in case. She wasn’t completely closed off to love. She just wasn’t exactly open to it.
“I keep saying it, but there are some cute guys at the gym . . .”
“Oh, there are!” Hailey agreed, nodding enthusiastically. “Not that I’ve had any luck with them. Still, it’s not like you’
re going to stumble upon Mr. Right just next door. Your sister is right, Mary, you have to get out, go look for him.”
Mary nodded thoughtfully, willing herself to stay quiet. Normally, she’d agree with Hailey, but after her last exchange with Ben, she couldn’t help wondering if the tall, handsome, and completely elusive man wasn’t just everything she’d been looking for all along.
If she was looking, that was.
***
Ben pulled the car to a stop in front of the school and flicked on his hazard lights. They were late. Again. Something he’d promised himself he wouldn’t let happen. But then Violet had to burst into tears when he couldn’t braid her hair the way Dana did, and then she’d refused to eat the pancakes he’d made her, even though they were in the shape of her initials.
He glanced at the clock on the dashboard, his jaw tensing. Ten minutes late today. His worst showing yet.
For a moment, he wondered if he could hack it. If he hadn’t given his ex enough credit. If he’d overestimated his role as a father. But then he remembered that Dana was the one who had flown halfway across the world without much concern about when she’d return, and Ben was the one who, years after the divorce, still craved the family life he’d lost.
“Right, well, let’s hurry,” Ben said as he turned to face his daughter. Noticing her frown, he said, “Your birthday party is this weekend! I bet all the kids are excited.”
“I don’t want to have my party anymore,” Violet muttered, and Ben stifled a sigh.
He was exasperated, tired, and frustrated as hell. He rubbed a hand over his face, refusing to let it show. “Aw, come on now. You’ll have fun!”
“No I won’t. Mommy made me have it at the bowling alley. I don’t like bowling anymore.” Her bottom lip began to quiver, and Ben clenched a fist at his side. Of course she didn’t like bowling. It reminded her of her mother, just like it did for him. Back before the divorce, it was something they’d done together, especially on cold, winter weekends.
He thought fast. The invitations had been sent weeks ago; Dana had taken care of it all well before she’d left town. It wasn’t exactly convenient to change plans now, but given the circumstances, he couldn’t see another way. “We could have a pizza party instead,” he offered. “Does that sound like fun?”