Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2)

by Valerie Comer

  Kelly came the rest of the way in, shut the door, and leaned against it. Hurt shone in her eyes. “For what?”

  He made a helpless gesture. “For everything. For Sophie. For not calling you back.”

  “Why, Ian? I know Elena spoke out of turn, but don’t you think she’s been punished enough?”

  Ian pulled to his feet, only then recognizing the overwhelming desire to cross the space and gather Kelly in his arms. No. He couldn’t do that. He raised the mini-blinds of his office window, but the view of the Sandon River blurred. He took a deep breath and turned back to face her.

  “It’s Sophie. She’s my first responsibility. Really, my only one.” He pleaded with Kelly with his eyes.

  “You’re telling me that it’s because she is still angry with Elena? Two weeks later? Kids don’t usually hold grudges, Ian.”

  Ian straightened the phone and day planner on the corner of his desk then moved the pen caddy a little to the left. He squared Sophie’s framed photo.

  Kelly’s hands appeared in his view. She tipped the pens and they skittered across his desk. “If Elena and I messed up your orderly life a bit too much, just say it like a man. Tell me why we went from… from flirting and hanging out together to a brick wall.” She placed both hands on the back of his desk and leaned forward.

  Right into his view. Right where he wanted her forever. He shot a glance at Sophie’s image.

  Kelly reached over and turned the frame on its face.

  “Hey!”

  “Listen to me, Ian Tomlinson. What are you teaching Sophie? That you deal with problems by retreating and blocking them out? How about teaching her to be forgiving? How about teaching her to respect the feelings of others? How about teaching her that life is all about give and take and doing her part to live in harmony with others?”

  Her finger jabbed toward his chest, but he took a step back before she connected.

  “If those are your family values, then Elena and I are better off without the both of you.”

  Ian took a shuddering breath. Were those accusations true? Was he modeling a non-Christ-like attitude for his daughter? Maria had called him rigid. Unbending. Were both women right?

  “Never mind.” Kelly spun on her heel and headed for the door.

  “Kelly, wait.” The words came out past the lump in his throat. “You’re right.”

  She paused, her back to him and her hand on the doorknob.

  “I’ve gotten so wrapped up creating a safe place for Sophie that I’ve messed up everywhere else.” He rounded the desk and stopped. He choked on his words. “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

  Kelly turned slowly, her eyes searching his. “I want to.” She bit her lip.

  “But…?”

  Moisture pooled in her blue eyes. “I have to forgive you, don’t I? Otherwise I’m doing what I just accused you of. Keeping you at a distance to protect myself. To protect Elena.” A tear trickled down her cheek. So vulnerable. He’d caused that pain.

  “Kelly.” He crossed the space between them in a heartbeat and wiped away the tear with his thumb. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been miserable, but to know how much pain I’ve caused you breaks my heart. Can we try again?”

  Her lips trembled. “What about Sophie?”

  He touched her lips with his fingers. Cradled her face in his hands. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll be an example to her. Today.”

  Kelly took one step closer and slid her arms around his waist.

  Ian clutched her to him. Would she look up at him again? Would he kiss her if she did? Too soon. Not until this turmoil was solved. He rested his cheek against her hair. “Thank you, Kelly. Thanks for caring enough to confront me.” He gave a slight squeeze and stepped back, releasing her.

  She searched his face. “Is this a bad time to tell you I had an ulterior motive? Well, maybe not ulterior, but a reason that pushed me to talk to you now instead of later?”

  He kept his hands firmly at his sides, no matter how much they itched to touch her again. “What’s that?”

  “Are you still going to Calgary this weekend?”

  He nodded as his heart leaped. Did she want to go, too? It was too early to introduce her to his parents. Or maybe not.

  “My grandmother is in a nursing home in Castlebrook. I think I told you my mom has been over there most of the past few months to spend time with her.” She watched him. “Grandma is failing quickly, and my mom really needs me to be there. Both Elena and me. But I have no car.”

  “Do you need a ride? We’re leaving shortly after work tomorrow. I have plenty of room for you, and, as you know, it’s not out of the way.”

  “Will it be okay with Sophie?”

  “I’ll make it be okay. It’s time for her to face what her hurt is doing to Elena. To you.” He closed the gap once again, grasped both Kelly’s hands, and brushed his lips across her forehead. “Thank you for perspective. For a second chance. I’ve been praying for a way through this.”

  Chapter 11

  Sophie poked her toe at the edge of the patio behind Kelly’s house. “I’m sorry I was mean to you.”

  “I’m sorry I said that about breaking a promise.” Elena watched Sophie, who didn’t look up. “I missed playing with you.”

  “Me, too.” Sophie peeked up. “I like Gracie, but she’s not my twin.”

  Kelly dared breathe. Dared to meet Ian’s gaze from where he stood behind Sophie, both hands on her shoulders. Kelly crouched. “Can I get a hug, Sophie? I’ve missed you, too.”

  Sophie nodded and shuffled forward a few steps.

  Kelly encased the little girl in her arms and snuggled her until she felt the small body relax. She kissed Sophie’s forehead and reached for Elena. Cuddling both girls, she looked up.

  “Is there room for one more?” Ian’s face wore a look of longing. “I could use a hug.”

  Elena nodded and launched at him. He caught her and swung her up then reached for Kelly and Sophie. A moment later they stood, arms holding each other up.

  Like a family. Was this what God had for them? Kelly could only hope and pray.

  “Time to start driving,” said Ian. “Do you girls want to talk or watch a movie?”

  Elena leaned over to look in his eyes. “Is it a princess movie?”

  He grinned at her. “Is there any other kind?” He released both girls to the patio. “Let me buckle in your booster seat so you two can get settled. Ready?”

  Kelly caught her breath as Ian’s gaze lingered on her face. Ready? Oh, yeah.

  ~*~

  Ian glanced over at her now, leaning back against the headrest, her eyes closed and long lashes fanned against her cheeks. Blond hair flowed past her shoulders in gentle waves. Her pert nose slightly raised. She was wearing his favorite of her outfits, the well-worn jeans and fitted purple hoodie.

  “Eyes on the road, buddy,” she said without moving.

  Ian chuckled. The highway was fine. He’d looked often enough, even though there was a fair bit of holiday weekend traffic. “So you’re watching me watch you.”

  A muscle twitched in her cheek as though she prevented it from smiling.

  He wanted to see that smile spread across her face in the worst way. Wanted to see her blue eyes dance as they met his. “It seems forever since we’ve spent time together.” He hesitated. “Are we okay?”

  She nodded slightly. One blue eye opened and looked at him. “When we first met, and Elena asked you to be her daddy…” Kelly’s voice trailed off.

  Ian swallowed hard. “I remember.”

  She turned to face him. “I told her kids don’t get to decide things like that. Only grownups can decide.”

  Ouch. He deserved that. “Sophie’s been my entire world for most of her life. I lost perspective. I’m sorry you and Elena suffered while I learned.” He reached across the console and laced his fingers with hers. “I’d do anything to take back the last two weeks.”

  “Your daddy is holding my mommy’s hand,” whispered Sophie.


  Kelly turned in her seat, letting go of Ian’s hand. “Is it a good movie?”

  Elena grinned. “Yep. I hadn’t seen this one yet.”

  Kelly settled back in her seat, a small smile twitching her lips.

  Those lips. Ian wrenched his gaze back to the highway and took a long breath. “Can I take you on a real date soon? One without two little chaperones? I can get a sitter for both of them.”

  The little smile grew until her dimple deepened.

  How could he wait until next week to have her to himself, if only for a few hours? If that talk went well, he’d kiss that dimple. Kiss those eyelids. Those lips. He swallowed hard. “How about Friday?” He’d heard the food at the Water Wheel by the park was excellent. That was still eight days away, but Easter weekend would take up the first half of it.

  “Friday’s good.”

  What was she thinking as she looked at him? Did she find him as attractive as he found her? His gut tightened as her gaze trailed over his face. Maybe she was thinking about kissing, too.

  Their eyes caught for a few seconds before Ian realized he’d passed a sign to lower the speed. They were entering Castlebrook. He gave her a lopsided grin he hoped was a promise for more to come. “Where in town are we going?”

  She blinked and looked around. “Turn right on Forest, but that’s not until the other side of the mall.”

  “Mommy? I don’t want to go to Great-grandma’s.”

  “I know, baby girl, but we’re doing it anyway.”

  Ian glanced over. It wasn’t going to be an easy weekend for either of them.

  “I want to go to the zoo with Sophie.”

  “Elena. Enough.”

  Elena heaved a sigh from the bottom of her lungs.

  He bit back a grin. He couldn’t interfere, couldn’t fix everything within a day of finally getting over the hurdle. But what had happened to pedal faster so he wouldn’t fall? Oh, man. He’d fallen, all right, and he liked it that way.

  Kelly gave directions until they pulled in front of a small bungalow in a residential neighborhood.

  “I thought she was in a nursing home?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow is soon enough,” Kelly replied. “Mom’s been staying with her friend Lorraine. Her car is here.”

  Ian shut off the motor. How he wished he could do something. Anything. But he knew he couldn’t. It wasn’t time.

  The front door of the house opened, and a middle-aged woman ran out. Eyes rimmed with red and clutching a tissue, she reached for Kelly almost before the Jeep door opened.

  “Oh, honey, you missed her. Grandma passed away an hour ago.”

  Kelly hugged the woman. “I’m sorry. I came as soon as I could.”

  “I know. Where’s my munchkin?”

  Kelly turned to open the back door and released Elena.

  “Hi, Grandma.” Elena hugged her grandmother.

  “Look at you! You’ve grown even in the past few weeks.” Then the woman’s eyes seemed to notice him and Sophie. “I don’t believe we’ve met?”

  He wouldn’t meet Kelly’s mom while seated in his vehicle. He’d probably already made a poor first impression by not getting Kelly’s door, but the sight of her sobbing mother had distracted him for those precious seconds.

  Ian exited the vehicle and opened Sophie’s door. She could use a stretch before the next, much longer, leg of their journey.

  “Mom, this is Ian Tomlinson and his daughter, Sophie. They’re headed to Calgary this weekend. Ian, this is my mom, Roberta.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Ian put on his best smile and reached to shake the woman’s hand.

  “The girls are best friends,” Kelly told her mother.

  He noticed she said nothing about their own relationship. Time. He needed time.

  “We’re twins,” Elena informed her grandmother.

  “Oh, are you?” Roberta’s gaze flicked between the girls. “Well, that’s nice.” She turned back to Kelly. “I’m so glad you’re finally here. We have all the funeral arrangements to make, and I need you.”

  Wasn’t that going to be a bit tricky across a long weekend? Ian’s heart went out to Kelly as she swallowed hard and glanced at Elena. The little girl stood with head downcast, clutching Sophie’s hand.

  Maybe there was a solution. It wasn’t perfect, but it might do. “Can I speak with you a moment, Kelly?”

  She looked from him to her mother. “Sure.” She followed him to the back of the Jeep. “What’s up?”

  “You’re going to be even busier this weekend than you thought, aren’t you? More stressed?”

  Kelly nodded, grimacing. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye, but this is probably for the best.”

  He lowered his voice. “May I take Elena with me to Calgary? My parents will be fine with it, and it would be good for the girls to get their friendship back on track.” He searched her unchanging face. “Please? I know I can’t do anything for you here, but this would make it easier for you, wouldn’t it?”

  Her gaze met his. “Really? That seems like such a big deal.”

  “It’s not. You know how well they play together. It would be an honor to do this for you. For Elena.”

  “Are we going too fast?”

  Ian twined his fingers with hers. Surely their hands were out of sight of Kelly’s mom and the girls. “It can’t go too quickly for me.”

  Chapter 12

  Kelly worked beside her mother the next afternoon, packing the personal items from Grandma’s room into cardboard boxes. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned spending Good Friday. A group from a Castlebrook church led an Easter service in the residents’ lounge just down the corridor. Listening to The Old Rugged Cross from a distance wasn’t the same as attending River of Life Church, but it would have to do this time around.

  Meanwhile, she peeled sticky-tack off the backs of dozens of photos that had been attached to the wall by Grandma’s favorite chair. Photos of Elena and her second cousins.

  “Tell me about Ian,” her mother said at last. “You’ve never mentioned his name before, but all of a sudden he’s a good enough friend to take Elena for the weekend? Are you sure he can be trusted?”

  “We have a few things in common. He works for the town, for one.” No need to mention that he headed her department. “The girls share a birthday, and that bonded them the first day Sophie came to Riverbend Elementary. Plus, Ian is a Christian.” The other thing they had in common was that they’d pretty much instantly fallen for each other, but Ian’s twinkling eyes and strong hands were not something Kelly was about to mention to her mother.

  “Just be careful, honey. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”

  Kelly shot a glance at her mom. “He’s not that kind of guy.”

  “You can’t know that.”

  “Actually, I can.” From the bit of distance the past two weeks had provided their relationship, she was more than certain. “His daughter loves him and respects him, and he is always a gentleman. He’s not a closet serial killer or child molester.”

  “That’s not what I meant, honey.”

  Kelly grabbed the packing tape dispenser and sealed a box then labeled it with a black felt marker. “Ian treats me like a princess, Mom. He treats Elena the same way. He’s more than safe.” Sure, the powerful instant connection had scared her a little at first. Her heart hadn’t seemed safe, but that had changed. Now Ian seemed the safest cradle.

  “It’s unusual to see a man with custody of a child.”

  If only Mom could ask about Ian without accusation, this would go a lot better. “His wife died when Sophie was two.” No need to mention they’d been separated at the time. “He’s done a great job raising her.” And would do a better job now that he’d considered the messages he’d sent to Sophie.

  “I just don’t want you hurt, Kelly. He’s probably angling for a mother for his child and taking advantage of the fact you’re single, and your daughters are friends.”

  Kelly straightened and re
ached for her mother’s shoulders. “Look at me, Mom.” When her mom obeyed, Kelly went on. “Please stop talking about Ian this way. You don’t even know him, and you’re jumping to all kinds of wrong conclusions. Ian just might be the very best thing that ever happened to me. Could you believe I have better judgment than I did eight years ago, and try to be happy for me?

  Mom’s blue eyes, etched with worry lines, searched hers. “Are you sure?”

  “Not one hundred percent. And he’s not pushing me. Trust me, Mom. I know I only moved out of your house two years ago. I know you still think of me as... as Elena’s age, but I’m twenty-six. I’m old enough to know my heart and to make decisions about my future. About Elena’s future.” She finally had her mom’s undivided attention. “I’m so grateful for your support and help with Elena. I don’t know what I’d have done without you, but things have changed. Please give Ian and Sophie a chance.”

  “Does he love you? I mean, truly love you?”

  They hadn’t said the words to each other, but there was no doubt. “Yes, Mom. He loves me, and I believe God brought him into my life.”

  “Just take it slow.”

  “Mom. Trust me.”

  “I’ll try.”

  ~*~

  “So you’re happy with your move to Riverbend, then?”

  Ian and his father strolled down the walkway at the Calgary Zoo behind his mom, who had a small girl by each hand. His folks had taken to Elena immediately, and it had been mutual.

  “Very much so. There have definitely been some adjustments to small-town life, but it agrees with both of us.”

  “Sophie cried for two days before you left,” Dad reminded him.

  “She did. But her very first day at school she met Elena, and there’s been barely a whisper about missing Calgary since.”

  “I guess sometimes you know when you’ve met someone you click with, right, son?” Dad’s elbow caught Ian’s side.

  Ian laughed. “Yeah, sometimes you do.”