Blueprint for Romance

by Shannon M Harris

  Dylan smiled. “You too.”

  “Mom, you know her?” Emma asked, pointing at Kat.

  Dylan pushed the bangs out of Emma’s eyes. “We’ve run into each other a few times.”

  “You sure you’re not going to ride?” Emma asked again. “I mean, I only have one leg but I’m going to ride. Seems kind of silly you’re not even going to try.”

  All the adults grew quiet as Kat regarded Emma and what she’d said. Kat’s heart constricted at Emma’s words. “You’re right, it is kind of silly, isn’t it?” Kat grinned at the little girl who was a spitting image of Dylan. “For you, I’ll give it a try.”

  Emma scrunched her nose. “Why? You don’t even know me.”

  “Maybe not, but sometimes you meet people that give you a different outlook and it changes the way you see things. It would be silly not to give it another try.”

  “I did that?” Emma placed her hand on Kat’s arm.

  “You did.”

  “Neat.”

  Kat grinned. “I agree. I hope someday I can do that for someone.”

  “All right, Dylan, Emma, Iris, is everyone ready to get started?” The man Dylan talked to earlier asked.

  “We are,” Dylan said. “Emma, tell everyone bye.”

  “We’re not riding together?” Emma asked.

  “I’m afraid not, sweetheart,” Iris said. “You know all your one-on-one sessions with your trainer were scheduled months ago.”

  “Okay.” Emma looked crestfallen. “Bye Kat. It was nice to meet you.” Emma waved at her.

  “Nice to meet you as well,” Kat said, as Iris and Emma walked into the large barn.

  Dylan nodded. “That’s my daughter. She’s seven.”

  “She’s great,” Kat said, afraid of saying the wrong thing. She rocked back on her heels and noticed her family had moved away to give them some privacy. “Really, she’s great. I like kids.” Kat knew she was rambling, something she did when nervous.

  “I think so.” Dylan pointed behind her. “I should get in there with them.”

  “Of course, I…one moment.” Kat ran a few steps to the left and plucked a dandelion from the ground. She knew the flower represented many things; the important one for her was surviving through all challenges and difficulties. She jogged back and presented it to Dylan.

  Dylan smiled and made sure not to squish the flower. “Thank you.” She gestured with a quick tilt of her head toward the stables. “I really need to get in there.”

  “I understand. We’re going for ice cream afterwards if you all wanted to join us.” From the look on Dylan’s face, she was surprised by the words as Kat was with the invitation. “I mean. If you’re not busy. It’s cool if you are. Cool. Cool.” What was wrong with her?

  “For ice cream?”

  Kat ran her hand through her hair, which, she knew, stuck up in several places by now. “Yes.”

  “Are you asking me out on a date…or just going out as friends?”

  Kat knew she had to be careful here. She thought it a good idea to take it slow for now and ease into more later. “As friends. You know, get to know you better. I haven’t lived in Garriety long and besides my sister, her family and friends, along with my two employees, I don’t know a lot of people.” She decided to go for it. “I wouldn’t be averse to dating later on, depending on how our friendship goes.” Jeez, could she crawl out of the hole she dug?

  “Truthfully, I’m not looking for a relationship at this moment.” Dylan smiled. “But friendship is something I’d be interested in.” She paused. “If it’s okay, let me get back to you on the ice cream, but right now, I need to focus on Emma. Saturdays are our days together.”

  “You bet. I don’t want to take time away from your daughter.” When Dylan turned to walk away, Kat hollered for her to stop. “We should exchange numbers. So, you can tell me if you want to join us for ice cream.”

  “Sure.”

  Kat ran the few steps up to her. She accepted Kat’s phone and punched in her numbers. When she handed it back, Kat sent her a short text message. “We good now?”

  “Yep. Friendship has to start somewhere and what better place than over ice cream.” Kat looked over her shoulder then back to Dylan. “I should go back with my family also. It was nice to see you today, and nice meeting Emma and seeing your mom again.”

  “You too, Kat.”

  Kat watched her walk away with a lump in her throat. Hearing her name roll off Dylan’s lips felt nice. Too nice. She jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder.

  “Nice,” Evan said. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  “Don’t be silly. She was being nice, and friendship could be on the table.” She smacked his shoulder when he rolled his eyes.

  “From experience, a girl usually doesn’t give her number away on a whim,” Evan said.

  “From your own experience?”

  “You bet.”

  “Don’t get many numbers, huh?”

  He shrugged and guided her toward where everyone else was. “It only takes one.”

  Kat smiled when she reached Briley and Leah, then took a photo of Griffin with her riding hat on. In the distance, she watched Dylan lean over a fence to speak with Emma who sat astride a horse. Without thinking, she raised her phone, zoomed in, and took a picture of them. After slipping her phone in her pocket, she joined Briley.

  “So,” Kat said, rubbing her hands together. “Which beast is mine?”

  Dylan tried to keep her eyes off the group in the distance but couldn’t stop herself. A new friendship was exactly what she needed, but a scary first step to take. She’d honestly expected Kat to make a move far sooner.

  “I like her, Dylan,” Iris said. “She was good to Emma.”

  “I know. She gave me a dandelion.”

  Iris frowned. “A weed.”

  Dylan laughed. “Not just a weed. She knows I love flowers and appreciates the meanings behind them. The floral meaning of the dandelion is a promise of total faithfulness, but I have a feeling she was going with one of the other meanings. Maybe, a gift to someone that will provide happiness.”

  Iris glanced toward where Emma was. “That was sweet of her.”

  “It was.”

  “And how does that make you feel?”

  “Like she’s trying but doesn’t want to come off too strong.”

  “I agree.”

  “She also invited us to join them for ice cream later. When I told her that I wasn’t looking for a relationship right now, she suggested we could be friends. She hasn’t lived here that long.”

  “Good. I think she would be good for you. In whatever capacity that entails. Friends are invaluable. And who can say no to ice cream?”

  “So, I should go?” Dylan bit her lip. No way would she take Emma with her. The last thing needed right now was for her daughter to become attached to Kat.

  “Why not? You like her. It’s plain as day and there is nothing wrong with that. She likes you, and Emma, and Kat seems to enjoy being with her family. Stop overthinking everything. Do you want to have ice cream with them?”

  “Yes.” At her mom’s smile, Dylan rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Too soon.”

  “Too soon for what? It’s just ice cream. You’re not dating. You’re going to try and be friends. And on the way home we can stop by the store and pick up some ice cream for myself and Emma.”

  “You’re right. It is just ice cream and I could use another friend. It would be nice.”

  “Yes, it would be nice.” Iris patted her hand.

  Dylan lifted her phone when it vibrated, and her heart thudded when she saw it was from Kat.

  Kat: Your kid is a natural. Maybe I should take lessons from her. It’s been so long, I’m not even sure I can get on my horse.

  Dylan: You should definitely concentrate on your own horse. Falling off would be a bad idea.

  Kat: You don’t have to tell me. Once was enough.

  Dylan: Colorado?

/>   Kat: (groaning) Colorado.

  Dylan: I would love to have ice cream with you.

  Dylan looked up when someone hooted and couldn’t keep the smile off her face when she noticed Kat high-five Evan. She held back her laugh, but her stomach fluttered at Kat’s obvious happiness.

  Kat: Excellent. We were going to Cones and Cream around three. Is that good?

  Dylan: I’ll meet you there.

  A moment later, Dylan received a thumb up emoji. She brought up the video option on her phone, pointed it at Emma and started recording. Times like these, with Emma being so carefree, made up for all the bad times. It made everything worth it. Dylan smiled when Emma laughed.

  “You’ve done good, baby.” Iris squeezed Dylan’s shoulder.

  Dylan saved the video and slipped her phone in her pocket. “You really think so? Sometimes it doesn’t feel like enough. I wish there was more money in the bank. Emma deserves so much more than I can give her.”

  “Just look at that smile. Trust me on this. You’ve done good. We can’t always give our children everything they want, but you give her what she needs and then some. You have a happy little girl.”

  Her eyes strayed to a running and squealing Griffin, her arms swinging in the air and Briley hot on her heels. For a brief moment, she remembered Emma being that age. Before the accident, Emma was a force to be reckoned with. True, Emma still had that same fire, but it now focused on other things.

  “Honey, why the doubts suddenly?”

  Her mom must have sensed her mood change to a pensive one. “It’s not sudden. When I’m holding her from a nightmare and panic attack, I wonder if it’s all enough. Will she resent me when she’s older? Will she feel less than the other children?”

  “Stop.” Iris moved until she stood in front of Dylan and gripped her shoulders. “Repeat after me.”

  Dylan rolled her eyes. “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore.” Iris held steady. “Fine.” How embarrassing.

  “Repeat after me,” Iris said. “I’m a good mom.”

  Dylan sighed. “I’m a good mom.”

  “I’m doing the best I can, and my best is good enough.” Dylan repeated after her mom then grabbed her in a fierce hug.

  “Thank you for being you.”

  “Always,” Iris said.

  “I want a hug,” Emma shouted from the horse she was astride, and Dylan climbed up on the fence and carefully embraced her little miracle.

  “Guess what?”

  “What?”

  “You and Grams gets to have ice cream while I go out for a couple of hours this afternoon.”

  Emma cupped her mom’s cheek. “Cookie dough?”

  Dylan smiled. “If that’s what you want.”

  “Awesome.”

  Dylan held Emma steady. “You’re okay with me going out for a bit?” She wouldn’t do it if Emma said no.

  “Of course, Mom,” Emma said before being led off for a couple more laps around the corral.

  Dylan pulled her hair down, then put it back up. “You know what. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Good.”

  Dylan glanced back at the other group. Kat and Evan were sword fighting with what looked like large sticks. A smile graced her lips when Griffin joined in and Kat faked a stab wound and fell to the ground while Evan picked up a triumphant Griffin and put her on his shoulders. He placed his foot on Kat’s chest and the tip of his sword at her neck. Kat seemed perfect. Too perfect.

  Could it all really be this easy? Girl meets girl, and everything falls into place. Life wasn’t that simple. At least not for her, but one look at their grinning faces and at Emma’s happiness was all the push she needed. If fate wanted her to spend time with Kat and her family, she would. Whether a romantic relationship stemmed from that, she didn’t know, but she was willing to take the chance on a friendship and see what happened.

  Emma remained her number one priority, but she was willing to make room for someone else, if they were willing to make room for her and Emma. Dylan had a feeling Kat was that type of person, but time would tell. First, though, they had an ice cream trip to get through.

  Kat, freshly showered, towel wrapped around her waist, stared into her closet, and grimaced at the selection of clothes. Stripes sat calmly by her feet. A quick glance at the clock told her she only had ten minutes until it was time to be at Briley’s house to leave for ice cream. She didn’t have time to waste. Groaning in frustration, she grabbed the first pair of skinny jeans she saw off the hanger then threw them on the bed. She plucked a gray long sleeve t-shirt out and dressed. She pulled on a pair of tiger striped socks and slipped on a pair of sneakers, picked Stripes up, and headed downstairs.

  With a couple of minutes to spare, she gave Stripes a quick cuddle, before putting him back on the couch, locking up, and walking across the street to Briley’s house. Leah and Griffin were seated on the porch swing and Briley stared Kat down while pointing at her watch.

  “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “Barely,” Briley threw back at her.

  Leah slid into the backseat and buckled Griffin in. Kat would have preferred Leah sit in the passenger seat but took her spot next to Briley.

  “Where’s Evan?” Kat asked.

  “At a friend’s house. It’s only going to be us girls for ice cream.”

  “Maybe,” Kat said.

  “What do you mean maybe?” Briley flicked the turn signal and took a right on Dublin Street.

  “Stop at the flower shop on East Fourth. I don’t know if Dylan is bringing anyone besides herself. The way she talked it was only going to be her.”

  “Don’t you have her number?” Briley asked.

  “Yes, but I only texted her this morning.”

  “Kat, I’ve never known you to be hesitant when it came to liking someone before.”

  “Bri, it’s different this time. She has a child. It changes things.”

  “But you want kids,” Briley insisted.

  “I do.”

  “Briley,” Leah piped in from the backseat. “I understand what she’s saying. If you hadn’t already known Evan when we started dating, I would have waited until I was sure of us before letting you two meet. Kids get attached. No matter their age.”

  “And she’s special needs.” Kat shook her head “I can’t imagine the extra toll that takes on them. I get tired after only keeping Griff for a couple of days. I don’t want to add any stress to her life.”

  “Then why the invite to begin with?” Briley said as she pulled into the parking lot of Sweet Creations Florist.

  Kat narrowed her eyes at Briley. “I sort of blurted it out. Sort of like your proposal.”

  “I hear that.” Briley squeezed Kat’s knee. “Let’s head in.”

  Kat stared at Briley. “You don’t have to go in with me.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’ll get Leah something.”

  Once inside, Kat knew exactly what she wanted.

  “Can I help you with something?” the woman behind the counter asked.

  Kat noticed her name tag read Harper. “I need a single yellow rose, Harper. One rose, nothing else.”

  “All right,” Harper said.

  “And I’ll have a single orange rose,” Briley said.

  Kat stared at Briley when Harper walked off.

  “What?” Briley asked. “You’re not the only one that’s been looking up flower meanings.”

  “All right.” Kat remembered reading that an orange rose meant desire, passion, and enthusiasm.

  Five minutes later, they were on their way. Leah seemed happy with her flower and Kat hoped Dylan would be as well. Would it be weird for Dylan to carry a flower into an ice cream shop? “Shoot.”

  “What?” Leah touched her shoulder.

  Kat turned to look at her. “Is it weird me giving her this flower? Would you be upset about it?”

  “Me, no, but I don’t know Dylan. Do I think she’ll be upset, well, I hope not, but I wouldn’t see why she would be.”

  �
�Okay. That’s good.”

  When they parked and got out, Kat hung back while Briley, Leah, and Griff walked ahead of her.

  “Kat.”

  Kat stopped and turned to Dylan, who walked toward her in a pink and white shirt, jeans, and a pair of sandals. “You look nice.” She felt only a little disappointed Emma and Iris wasn’t with her, but she understood. She handed the rose to Dylan. “For you.”

  Dylan took the rose, lifted it to her nose and sniffed. “Thank you.”

  Kat fidgeted. “It’s not weird? I mean, I hoped giving you a flower wouldn’t be, but maybe I’m making it weird.” She grimaced. “It’s stupid, right?”

  Dylan stilled her with a hand on her arm. “It’s not stupid. It’s lovely. Thank you.”

  “Good. Good.” Dylan’s hand was warm on her arm and her fingers so soft. Kat stuffed her hands in the pocket of her pants to stop herself from tugging Dylan into her arms. “I hope I didn’t overstep by asking you for ice cream.”

  “Kat.” Dylan touched her arm. “I wouldn’t have accepted if I didn’t want to.”

  “Kat.” Kat turned her head at a smiling Briley, who hung half out of the door. “We have a table.”

  “Okay.” Kat turned back around and gestured toward the inside of the shop as she held open the door. “After you.”

  “How chivalrous.”

  “I try.”

  Dylan smiled, and Kat had to admit maybe taking a play out of Briley’s book was a good start. They walked in and Kat pointed to a waving Briley in the back corner.

  Leah, Griffin, and Briley sat on one side of the table, while Kat and Dylan slid into the other side. Kat held back from sliding in close to her. Best to keep a bit of distance between them.

  Kat didn’t even bother to look at the menu; she got the same thing every time. A small bowl that consisted of a scoop of cookies ‘n’ cream and a scoop of cookie dough ice cream, topped with a strawberry drizzle and chopped pecans. Thinking about it made her mouth water.

  “Aunt Kat.” Griffin held out her hands and made grabby motions, but Leah spoke up.