Yeah, he was probably standing too close. But she smelled so good, and they’d always shared space as if it wasn’t anything.
Apparently, they couldn’t anymore.
He clenched his teeth, wanting to rail against the frustration. “I thought we were good. Have I done something else to offend you that you’re not telling me about?”
“No.” Her gaze darted over his shoulder. A tell. She was not being truthful.
The door opened, and his grandmother stood grinning behind the screen. “What a nice surprise. Can I safely assume you two are working together again?” Grace ushered Darcy and Luke inside and led them to the kitchen, the heart of Granny’s house—the heart of Luke’s family.
“We are, Granny,” Luke said, pleased that she was happy with him once again.
They sat in their regular places around her table. How many meals had they shared through the years? Granny, his dad, his mom and even Darcy.
“How about some coffee or pie?”
“No, thanks.” Darcy smiled at Granny as if all was well in her world. “We only have a few minutes before I need to head to the mall to work.”
Apparently, Darcy still assumed their visit wouldn’t affect his grandmother. He turned to Grace, took her soft hand in his. “We need to talk with you, Granny, about something upsetting.”
The corners of her mouth drew downward. Concern deepened the crease between her brows as she looked from one of them to the other.
He didn’t even know how to begin.
With a tilt of her head, Darcy flashed him an irritated look.
“What is it, son?”
“I have some news about Dad.”
Grace’s hand shot to her chest as she gasped.
“No, it’s nothing bad,” Darcy said. “Burt’s fine. Luke thought you should know that—”
“That Dad is, uh, seeing someone,” Luke finished.
“Seeing someone? As in dating?”
Luke swallowed hard as he nodded, waiting for Granny to fall apart.
Grace huffed and slouched in her chair, as if all the starch had gone out of her. “My goodness. You nearly scared me to death. Why didn’t you say that to start with?”
Darcy let out a sigh and shook her head yet refrained from saying “I told you so.”
“Don’t you think it’s way too soon?” Luke said. “I mean, I thought you’d be upset.”
Granny considered the question as she rubbed one thumb over the other. “Granted, this has come about rather quickly, but men sometimes do that. Everyone grieves differently.”
“I’m afraid there’s more to the story.”
She raised her chin, waiting.
“The woman he has feelings for is…well, it’s Noreen.”
His grandmother sat motionless. “You don’t say.” She glanced at Darcy. “Did you know about this?”
“I suspected she had a man in her life. I didn’t know it was Burt until this past Sunday when we all got together for dinner. What about you, did you have an inkling?”
“I’ve seen it coming, probably before either of them did.”
Luke’s breath hissed through his teeth. “Then why didn’t you say something, do something to stop what’s sure to be a train wreck?”
She gripped his hand and squeezed. “Don’t begrudge him this. Your dad loved your mother and never wavered over the last horrible, awful two years of her life. He was there for her every step of the way. He deserves to find happiness.”
Unable to sit a moment longer, Luke popped up and paced the length of the kitchen.
“Come on, Luke,” Darcy said. “You can’t change their feelings. Let them be. They’ll figure out the relationship.”
“Six months. Six lousy months.” He pushed his hand through his hair, then glanced at Darcy. “When my phone buzzes on a Wednesday morning, I still expect it’s her weekly call. When I check email, I’m still surprised not to see her name in my in-box.”
The distressed expression on Darcy’s face nearly undid him. She came over and wrapped her arms around him, forcing him to swallow the grief pushing at his throat before he made a fool of himself.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, laying her head against his chest.
“It’s too soon for Dad to think he cares about someone else.”
“I know. I’m sorry if I’ve pushed you to accept this.”
Relaxing into her, he rested his cheek on the top of her head, breathing in the familiar clean smell of her hair, allowing her to share the pain that had been lashing at him since Sunday evening.
How had he survived law school and months of living in Nashville without her?
“Luke, honey, I’m sorry you’re hurting,” Grace said. “But I think we need to stay out of their business and let them find their way.”
Pulling away from Darcy, Luke took a slow breath and placed a hand on Granny’s shoulder. “The townspeople will be shocked. Mom’s friends may be angry and say something to hurt Dad or Noreen…or you.”
“Let them talk. The relationship is none of their business, either.”
Luke didn’t agree. “I won’t stand by while they dishonor Mom’s memory.”
Darcy tensed. “While who dishonors her memory—the townspeople or our parents?”
“Both.”
No matter what Darcy and his grandmother thought, Luke was determined to stop his dad from seeing Noreen.
If Darcy wouldn’t help him talk sense into their parents, then maybe Chloe could help.
He didn’t like the thought of approaching her, but he had to do something.
Despite any awkwardness, he had to try and win Chloe over to his side.
* * *
“What a sneaky, underhanded thing to do.”
Darcy stood outside the locked door of Chloe’s Closet Thursday evening with a rare evening off work and glanced at the text her sister had sent. A message informing her she couldn’t get together for dinner because Luke had pestered her for two days until she had agreed to meet him at the café to discuss their parents. Chloe’s next message told Darcy not to worry, she planned to tell him exactly how she felt about his interference.
Mr. Persistent hadn’t been able to persuade Darcy to join the breakup posse, so he was going to secretly try to woo Chloe to his side. Good luck with that. Thinking of Chloe telling him off left a smile on Darcy’s face.
Even though Darcy knew Luke didn’t stand a chance of making headway with Chloe, she strode toward the café, a half block off the downtown square on McIntosh Road.
Though she had no intention of making a scene, she would crash Luke’s little party. She needed to make sure he didn’t do anything to hurt her mom.
At the entrance of the café, she smoothed her hand over the front of her blouse and tightened her ponytail, taking time to gather herself.
Stepping inside, she breathed in the aroma of fried chicken and scanned the crowded dining room. Chloe and Luke weren’t immediately visible.
The café waitress-owner Edna, a short middle-aged woman with stylish salt-and-pepper hair and the deepest of Southern accents, paused with an armload of plates of steaming food lined up her arm. “Hi, darlin’. Haven’t seen you in ages.”
“I’ve barely had time to eat lately.”
“Oh, sugar, I totally understand. Have a seat anywhere.”
“Actually, I’m looking for my sister.”
Edna nodded toward the back corner. “Over there.” She leaned in close enough for Darcy to smell the bacon on a club sandwich. “So, are Chloe and your buddy Luke dating again?”
Dating?
Darcy’s heart sank. Were the two of them holding hands or something? Was this dinner more than she’d thought?
“I don’t think so, Edna.” She pulled the co
rners of her lips upward, even though she wanted to do anything but smile.
Dreading what she’d discover, she meandered between tables of the packed restaurant, chatting with three families from church celebrating five-year-old Charlie’s birthday, two tellers from the bank and the ladies from the hair salon having a going-away dinner for one of the new stylists who was moving to Atlanta.
“Hey, girl,” said her longtime hairstylist, Norma. “I see Luke is home. Guess you’re heading his way.”
Darcy nodded. “I’m glad to have him back for a visit.”
Norma cupped her hands to whisper. “So, are he and Chloe an item again?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Oh, they make such a cute couple. I hope they’re back together.”
Darcy stamped on another tense smile, wished the young stylist who was moving a happy life, and finally made her way to the booth in the back. She was met with Chloe’s laugh. Darcy’s chest squeezed, making it hard to breathe.
Inching closer, she stepped in sight of the table.
Luke spotted her first. His jaw twitched like it always did when he was frustrated.
Chloe turned to see what had drawn Luke’s attention. “Oh, hey, Darcy. Come join us.” She scooted over to make room, as if nothing was going on, as if being interrupted wasn’t a big deal.
Darcy was being ridiculous. Even if Luke and Chloe decided to date again, she had no right to be upset.
“Thanks.” She slid in beside her sister, refocusing her thoughts on Luke and his apparent plan. “So, what’s up? Is Luke trying to pull you onto his team in the battle for the parents?”
Chloe laughed at the same time Norma said something about purple hair that sent the table of hair stylists into a fit of giggles.
“You do know Luke well,” Chloe said.
Darcy glared at the guilty party. “I knew something was up since the two of you haven’t gotten together willingly since college.”
Luke relaxed in the booth with his arms resting along the back of the seat. “I merely wanted to talk to Chloe about our parents. To see if she has any insight into the relationship.”
“So, do you, Chloe?” Darcy asked.
She shrugged. “I told Luke I don’t know any more than either of you. I have to say, I’m happy for Mom. She’s like a new person the past few weeks.”
Darcy wanted to nod in her best I-told-you-so manner, but she knew Luke was hurting, and that she should have more compassion. She wasn’t going to push him to accept their parents dating, would let him deal with it however he needed.
As long as he didn’t sabotage her mother’s happiness.
“I told Luke I think we need to stay out of it,” Darcy said.
“I told him the same thing.” Chloe leaned her chin on her hand and watched Luke as if waiting for his response.
Someone at the next table gasped.
“Oh, my stars,” Norma said.
“Will you look at that?” The raspy voice belonged to Shirley from the salon.
Luke leaned to peer around the edge of the booth. His eyes fell closed, and he let out an exasperated sigh. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Darcy craned her neck to see what had the café buzzing.
Noreen and Burt stood inside the door.
Holding hands.
The chatter and clang of silverware in the small diner faded away and, other than noise in the kitchen, all grew quiet.
“What is it?” Chloe asked.
“Mom and Burt. Obviously together.”
Chloe gave Darcy a little push. “Don’t just stare. Go ask if they want to join us.”
Darcy stood but then turned back to Luke. “They’d be pleased if you invited them.”
Red streaked his cheeks. “I won’t do anything rude if you invite them over.”
In other words, he didn’t want to do anything to condone the relationship.
“Come on, Luke. Your dad deserves a life,” Chloe said.
“That’s okay. Never mind.” Darcy headed toward their parents as Edna showed them to a table for two along the far wall.
Every single person in the café stared at the couple. A few wore tense smiles. One brave soul, Norma, waved and greeted them while the majority looked on with frowns or expressions of downright disapproval.
Darcy’s gaze flew to her mother, who appeared to be holding on to Burt’s hand like a vise. Noreen smiled, nodding and waving to friends as they moved to their table, her face suffused in red, yet head held high.
Burt didn’t handle the attention as well. He stared straight ahead, mouth drawn.
Hurting for both of them, Darcy rushed over as they were about to sit. “Hey. Do y’all want to join Chloe, Luke and me in the back booth?”
Her mom gave an appreciative smile. Then she glanced around the room. “Um, thank you. But we’re fine here. Having our first public date,” she whispered.
“I gathered that.”
“I can feel the disapproval. This is none of their business,” Burt said through clenched teeth.
Noreen rubbed his hand, smoothing over the white-knuckled fist. “They’re surprised. They’ll adjust.”
He zoomed his attention to Noreen, his gaze softening, and gently rubbed his thumb over hers. “They’re judging me, and I hate how it’s reflecting on you, making you feel bad.”
Mom looked up. “Darcy, honey, thank you for braving coming over here. Thank Luke, too, because I know he’s probably upset by this whole scene.”
“I will. Hope you have nice dinner.”
As she wove her way back to the table, she heard snippets of conversation that included the names Noreen, Burt, Grace…and Joan.
Their parents had set the whole place abuzz.
Her poor mother. She looked mortified, wounded. These were her friends—people from the church, the salon and the bank. People Mom dealt with on a daily basis. People who should be happy for her.
Yet not a single one acted as if they approved of the relationship.
Chloe came barreling toward Darcy, then stopped in the middle of the café and jammed her hands on her hips, taking a moment to stare at each table around the room. “Goodness, Edna,” she called loud enough for everyone to hear. “I thought this place was usually filled with the kindest, most welcoming people in Appleton.” Said in her sweetest Southern drawl, the words shamed the customers so nicely they probably wanted to thank her for it.
Proud, and wishing she had the same gumption, Darcy bit back a grin and gave her sister’s arm a quick squeeze.
“Where are y’all’s manners?” Edna barked. “Now, let these folks eat in peace. We need to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to little Charlie.”
As the guilty-faced diners sang to the five-year-old, Chloe pointed to the door and mouthed “I’m leaving.” Darcy waved to her sister and returned to the table where Luke waited. The song ended, and the diners resumed normal conversation.
Luke grimaced and rubbed his temples. “This is exactly the kind of scene I’d hoped to avoid.”
“I know. Maybe the worst is over.” Darcy couldn’t help worrying about her mom, though. What if Luke was right?
Maybe she should have discouraged the relationship to protect Noreen. If things got messy, it could ruin a lifelong family friendship, even destroy some long-term friendships with townspeople.
She better keep that in mind with her feelings for Luke, too. Time to be realistic. Time to buckle down and concentrate only on the auction.
“We need to get together to finalize the newspaper ad,” she said. “Deadline is Monday at noon.”
He dragged his gaze away from their parents, and the scowl eased. “How does tomorrow look?”
“I work the early shift at the hospital, so I’ll have a couple of hours before
I head to the mall at five.”
“I’ll drop by at three. We can pick up a few more auction items and then work on the ad.”
She saluted. “Yes, sir.”
The rest of the tension eased from his face. He leaned across the table, so close she could see the little flecks of dark brown in his golden-brown eyes. “I am not trying to be bossy.”
She leaned in as well, forearms resting on the table. “You are acting bossy. Like usual.”
“I’m decisive.”
“Uh-huh. You can think that if you want.”
They were nearly nose to nose, both grinning. His fingertips brushed her hand. Then he threaded his fingers through first one hand, then the other, palm to palm, like they used to do when they’d play Mercy—which he always won. This time, though, he didn’t twist his wrists trying to get her to call out for mercy. No, he simply held on to her, dragging his attention from her face to their joined hands, his expression growing serious.
“So, Miss O’Malley,” he said, “would three o’clock tomorrow be convenient for you to get together to work on the auction?”
When he looked back into her eyes with a sweet smile curving his lips, one side a little higher than the other, she had the sudden urge to cry. Instead, out of the touch-induced foggy-headedness, she dredged up their mantra. Remember Chloe.
Luke was good at this. This charming, make you swoon act. He used it on all the girls. Hadn’t she witnessed it many times over? He charmed them, won them over, then moved on to the next.
She took a deep breath and smiled. Pulled her fingers from his and tucked them in her lap. “Why, that’s very kind of you, sir. I think that would be convenient.”
He leaned back in the booth, looking almost relieved. “Good. It’s a date.”
The word date gave her a start, a word she used to dream about hearing form his lips. “Yeah, it’s a date. To work,” she reminded.
He smiled, although it wasn’t one of his goofy, typical smiles. “Of course that’s what I meant.” He stood and laid cash on the table. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Darcy.”
At least they both now knew where they stood.
No nose-to-nose grinning. No hand-holding. No calling their time together a date. Thankfully, they were nothing like their parents.
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