She let out a deep sigh. “Not too. I probably should have told Jason my dinner plans. It might have lessened the shock.”
“I thought I saw the teenager in him ready to protect his mother.”
Dena chuckled. “You did. Jason took on a lot of responsibility. I purchased a studio with an apartment in the upstairs with the insurance money I received after Bill died. So, while I was close at hand, Jason had the responsibility of watching the kids while I worked.”
“Ah, so he became the man of the house.”
“Yeah. I tried to avoid it as much as possible by encouraging him to go out for some sports. But it still happens, as much as you try to prevent it. Older children are just naturally protective of the one parent who’s survived.”
“Jess tried to mother me for a while. I think all kids go through a phase. But in my case, her mother married when Jess was eight, and by the time she was ten, she’d only receive an occasional card from her. It’s sad, really, but Terry wasn’t ready to be a mother.”
“The divorce must have been hard. I’m sorry.”
“Terry and I never married. All part of my unsaved past, I’m afraid. We were in high school. I was a senior and she was a sophomore. And, well, one thing led to another and she was pregnant. I told her I’d raise the baby if she didn’t abort it, and she agreed. At first Terry tried to be a part of Jess’s life, but she still had to finish high school. Her parents strongly encouraged her to go to college, and, well…she started slipping away from Jess then.
“Jess and I have talked about it many times. She’s a good kid. She understands it wasn’t anything she’d done, but that her mother was just a kid herself.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
Wayne let out a nervous chuckle. “No reason you should have. I’ll tell you one thing, becoming a single father at eighteen made it real clear that premarital sex was not only wrong, it had consequences. I don’t think I could have raised her without my parents’ support. I was twenty by the time I let the Lord into my life.”
He eased the truck down the dirt road that led to Dena’s cottage. “What about you? When did you get saved?”
“I was thirteen, but I didn’t get really serious until college. I’ve found my faith deepens with each new season in my life. When Bill died and I was alone to raise three kids, I struggled. Why did God take him? Why didn’t we buy more life insurance? All those kinds of questions, and more. But looking back, I see that God was always with me, always leading me in the right direction. Of course, I didn’t always listen and had to learn a few lessons the hard way.” The lilt of her laughter warmed him.
He set the transmission in park.
“Would you like to come in for a glass of iced tea?” she offered.
He was exhausted, but he didn’t want the evening to end. He enjoyed her company. “I’d love to.”
Dena’s cell phone rang. Wayne stayed seated in the truck.
“Hello?” she answered then stiffened. “I just got home; I’ll call you later.” She listened. “Right. Okay, talk to you tomorrow.”
Wayne shifted his torso and turned toward her. “Pastor Russell?”
Dena nodded.
“I don’t have to come in for the iced tea,” he offered.
“No, don’t be silly. He’s just curious and he can wait.”
Wayne smiled. “I left my cell phone at home. Jess knows I had dinner plans with you, so I’m certain I have a message waiting for me.”
“Do you think they’ll want to chaperone?”
“Probably, but they wouldn’t dare say it. They’d want to, but—”
Laughter filled the cab. Dena laughed so hard, tears edged her eyes.
“Come on, let’s get that iced tea and sit on the porch.” Dena pulled the door handle before he had a chance to open it for her.
“Sounds wonderful.” Wayne slipped out of the cab and stretched. “There’s a little chill in the air tonight.”
They reached the kitchen door and found a note attached. “What’s this?” Dena pulled it down and scanned the contents.
“Anything the matter?” he asked.
“No, not really. The owner has decided to sell the place, so he’s giving me fair warning.”
“Ah, I knew Troy was thinking of moving down to South Carolina. Guess he decided. Can’t blame him—his daughter’s there, and the weather up here is hard on older folks.”
Dena placed the note on the kitchen counter and retrieved two tall glasses. “You know, hot cocoa might be nicer with the temperature dropping.”
“I’d love some.”
“Great.” She moved through the kitchen with an elegant grace. She fascinated him on so many levels. Each time he discovered something new about her, it just made him want to know more.
“Dena?”
“Huh?” She filled the teakettle with some water and placed it on the stove.
“I’ve had a wonderful evening tonight.”
“Me, too.” He watched as she bent slightly and turned on the gas flame, adjusting it to the size of the kettle.
“I think… ” He paused.
What did he think? That he loved her? No, it’s too soon—he couldn’t fall in love after one date.
“I’d like to go out with you again.” There. He said it.
She leaned back against the counter and crossed her legs at her ankles. “Truthfully, I’d like that, too.”
His countenance brightened.
“But.” She held up a finger. “I’m far too busy the rest of the week, and after the wedding I desperately need to go to Boston and take care of business. I was supposed to be in Australia this week.”
“Oh, so when will you be back again?”
“I don’t know; maybe three weeks.”
He took a step closer and reached for her hand. “Can we plan on getting together when you return?”
A gentle smile curled her lips. “I’d like that.”
The kettle whistled, stopping him from raising her hand to his lips.
❧
That Thursday morning Dena had awakened feeling more centered than she had in years. She liked Wayne and had really enjoyed their time together. They’d surprised themselves by talking till after midnight. A part of her wished she could have spent more time with him the rest of the week, but Chad’s wedding had taken up every bit of her free time. Chad had picked up the various pieces of camera equipment she needed to photograph the wedding from her Boston apartment, as well as a suitable dress for the mother of the groom.
After the wedding she’d returned to Boston. By the end of the following week, Dena found herself longing for another date with Wayne. She called her landlord in Maine and asked him what he wanted for the property. Finding it a more-than-fair asking price, she agreed to purchase it. Jason was right; she needed to slow down.
Dena tapped out Wayne’s home phone number.
“Hello.” Hearing his voice helped soothe her nerves.
“Hi, it’s Dena.”
“Dena, I’m so glad you called. How are you?”
“Fine, busy. I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to get up there for a month.”
“Oh.”
She could hear his disappointment. “I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“Well, as you know, Jason wants me to move up there.” She curled the phone cord around her finger. “I’m afraid I can’t do that just yet, and I’m not sure I’ll ever completely be able to move up there, but I did take a positive step. At least, I think it’s a positive step.”
“You’re rambling,” he chortled. The lilt of his laughter sent a shiver from behind her ear to the back of her neck.
“Right. Well, I purchased the cottage from Troy.”
“I heard.”
“Oh, right, small town. Anyway, what I’m thinking is, if I’m going to stay there for any length of time, I’ll need a darkroom added to the cottage.”
“Sounds reasonabl
e.”
“That’s where you come in. Can you draw up some plans and give me an estimate?”
“Sure.”
“I’m not looking for anything fancy but something functional, and possibly something that would not detract from the charm of the cottage. Is that possible?”
“I can work on it. But I’ve never put in a darkroom. Don’t you need sinks and stuff like that?”
“Yes. I can send you some plans from my darkroom here. That should give you a good idea of the space and things I need.”
“Sounds good. Dena, let’s be careful we don’t develop just a business relationship.”
“I know it sounds like I might be trying to create distance between us, but I looked over my summer commitments, and I really can’t get out of them without putting several companies in a jam.”
“I understand. But—”
“Let’s not just talk business,” she finished for him.
“Right.”
She could picture his handsome smile in her mind. “Oh, I have a gift for you and Jess.”
“What?”
“It’s a surprise. You’ll just have to wait.”
Wayne laughed. “Just don’t make me wait too long.”
“Not too long, I promise. As soon as I can get up there, I’ll be there. It’s a six-hour drive, so just driving up for one night seems a bit foolish, don’t you think?”
“Depends on what you’re driving up for.”
“Touché.” Dena uncurled the cord from her forefinger. “Wayne, is it silly to say I’ve missed you?”
“No more than for me to admit the same.”
Dena thought for the hundredth time, how could their schedules blend? He lived in Maine, she in Boston. Traveling abroad would put a definite strain on any relationship they could develop. “Wayne, how’s this going to work?”
“I don’t know, Dena. One step at a time, I guess. What if we call one another once or twice a week and just talk?” he suggested.
“I’d like that.”
“Dena, I hate to bring this call to a close, but I’ve got to run. The sheriff just pulled up.”
“Sheriff?”
“Yeah, we’re trying to figure out who’s poaching our lobsters.”
“Okay. As soon as I figure out when I can get back, I’ll let you know.”
“Great. Thanks for calling. Bye.”
“Bye.” Dena let the phone fall from her fingertips back into its cradle. I wish I had taken photos of that lobsterman when I saw him. But I didn’t know anything was wrong.
❧
Wayne’s brief meeting with the sheriff produced little. If only Dena had photographed the poachers. But “if only” washed out with the tide and meant nothing—merely empty thoughts that produced little except more frustration.
The desire to call Dena and continue their conversation caused him to hesitate by the phone for a moment. Then he remembered her request for an addition on the cottage.
It still boggled his mind that she could just purchase a place at the drop of a hat. Then again, land in the area didn’t bring a premium asking price. In some ways, he wanted to ask Pastor Russell about his mother, to learn who she was and how often she traveled. Obviously a photographer made more money than he thought.
Money. He’d have to guard his heart about that. He had struggled for years when Jess was first born. And even today, while he lived comfortably enough, he still supported himself with two jobs. Of course, there was the cost of private college tuition.
Lord, the danger I see is that I could be jealous of Dena’s money and her ability to just go anywhere at a moment’s notice. Or purchase a house just for an occasional getaway. He continued to pray and worked his way out to his truck.
He picked up a spare key from Troy and went to the cottage to get a closer look. It was a typical summer cottage with little insulation. If Dena is going to stay here in the winter, she might want something warmer. He tapped the figures on the yellow legalsize pad of paper with his pencil.
For a few thousand more than the cost of the darkroom addition, he could raise the roof and add a loft for a master bedroom suite with a wonderful view of the ocean. Probably more than a few thousand—more like another ten. It was something he would do if he owned the place. But who knew how long she’d want to keep the property?
Wayne called Pastor Russell. With greetings aside, he asked, “Could you give me your mother’s home phone number? I’m at her cottage, and she asked me to do some remodeling.”
“Sure, just a minute.” Wayne heard some papers rustling. “Area code 617…” As he continued, Wayne scribbled it down on the legal pad.
“Thanks.”
“Not a problem. Tell Mom I’ll be calling later about Amber.”
“Sure.” Wayne wondered what was going on with Dena’s daughter but figured it wasn’t his place to ask.
A few moments later, he tapped out Dena’s number and put it in the phone’s directory. When her machine answered, Wayne left a message and his cell phone number.
“Lord, I wish she didn’t have to work so much.” He glanced back up to the rafters. And here he was thinking of suggesting she increase her renovation budget. Better stick to basics, or I’ll never see the woman.
After a few final measurements, he went back home to an empty house. Jess would be home for a few weeks after graduation, then she was off to begin her career. Working out of Boston. Perhaps he should consider visiting Boston more often.
His cell phone rang. Dena’s name appeared on the display. His heart skipped a beat. “Hi,” he answered.
“Hi, sorry I missed your call. What’s up?”
“I went to your place and have some basic ideas I’d like to bounce off of you regarding the location of the darkroom.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Wayne outlined three different options.
“Hmm, I kinda like the idea of an additional bedroom. The place is so small. Of course, I didn’t buy it for the cottage as much as for the view.”
“Yeah, it’s a phenomenal view. In fact, I was dreaming and thinking it would be nice to add a second floor and build a master bedroom suite over the darkroom.”
“That sounds wonderful. How much would it cost?”
“Off the top of my head, I’d say another ten.”
“Hmm. That’s sounds really nice. Let’s go with it.”
Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut? She’ll be on another trip to pay for this. “It’s your dollar.”
“Right.” She sighed. “I suppose if I took that month-long photo shoot in Africa, I could afford it.”
That was exactly what I wanted to avoid. “Dena, I…” He paused.
“Yeah, I know.”
“What?”
“That it would be longer between times when we could see one another.”
“Exactly. It’s strange how easily we can finish each other’s sentences, and we barely know one another.”
“Strange is an understatement. It’s downright scary. Why, after all these years, am I even interested in spending time with a man?”
Wayne chuckled. “My charming personality, of course.”
“And humbleness,” she quipped.
“Seriously, I should mention that Jess is taking a job in Boston. So I’ll probably be traveling down there every now and again.”
“Where is she going to live?”
“I don’t know. She’s hoping she and a group of her friends can find a place together. Personally, I think they should have started looking a few months before graduation, but you know kids.”
“Right—they have all the answers.”
“And for some odd reason, things work out for them at a moment’s notice. I never understood that. Of course, when I was their age, I never did anything foolish.”
“Of course not.” They laughed in unison. “Seriously, Wayne, if she needs a place to stay for a bit, she’s welcome to spend some time in the spare room at my condo.”
“That’s awful
ly generous of you. I’ll let her know.”
“Generous? Don’t be too sure. I might be hoping for her to be paid a visit by her handsome father.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
Wayne chuckled under his breath as he heard Dena groan. She hadn’t planned on letting that slip out, either, he mused.
Seven
Four days later, Dena still couldn’t believe the words she’d allowed to slip out. Since that call, she’d been arguing with herself—and the Lord—about the wisdom of building a relationship with Wayne.
“But he’s a stranger, Lord,” she argued once again. Dena tapped the computer keys and pulled up her schedule for the next week. “Where can I steal the time?”
She’d planned a trip to Savannah, Georgia, for a magazine layout that was due by the end of next week. Then the idea hit her. She dialed Wayne’s cell phone number.
Dena glanced back at her schedule. “Wayne, are you busy tomorrow morning?”
“Not too; what are you thinking?”
“I’ll drive up tonight and we can have breakfast together. I’ll have to leave tomorrow afternoon in order to catch an early flight out of Boston.”
“That seems like a lot of driving for a breakfast date.”
“Ah, but you haven’t tasted my lobster omelet.”
Wayne chuckled. “Tell you what, I’ll bring the lobster.”
“I was counting on that.” Dena smiled.
“When do you think you’ll get here tonight?” he asked.
“Close to ten, I think; sooner if possible.”
“Drive safely. I’ll put the lobsters and some fresh food in the refrigerator for you.”
“Thanks, not too much or it will spoil.”
“Gotcha.” He paused. “Call me if you get sleepy on the road.”
“Thanks. Bye.”
“Until tomorrow, bye.”
Dena’s phone rang as soon as she hung up. “Hello?”
“Dena, hi, it’s Jamie.”
“Hi, Jamie. How was Australia?”
“Awesome. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity. But I feel I owe you a portion of the contract. That was a pretty healthy paycheck.”
Dena knew exactly how much she’d given up, but she had to be there for Chad’s wedding. “No problem. Your bailing me out on short notice is payment enough.”
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