“I suppose she’s blonde and beautiful.”
“Actually, she resembles you in a way. Same coloring and same, I don’t know, petiteness? Is that a word?”
Dani returned the expected smile, but inside her heart ached even more. Now everything made sense. Brett wasn’t interested in her. She was just a drab substitute for the talented woman he really wanted.
And why not? Meghan was the mother of his son.
How could Dani compete with someone who had that kind of leverage?
When had she started wanting to?
If she were honest, it began that first night. Hard as she tried to keep him out, Brett had effortlessly burrowed his way into her heart. But she needed to face the facts and not be swayed by his charm.
His only interest in her was platonic. All he cared about was the woman who could give him what he wanted most—a relationship with his son.
Did Meghan realize the power she held over him? How cruel it was to keep him away from Jonah?
It’s not my concern.
She needed to put aside all these distractions and focus on doing the best job she could with the Misty Willow project. Her resolve would keep her focused.
At least until six o’clock this evening.
– 32 –
Meghan gave the waitress a shaky smile as she took the double-sided menu. She still couldn’t believe she was this far away from the hospital. She wouldn’t be if her friend Dawn hadn’t come to the city on business and volunteered—no, insisted—on staying with Jonah while Meghan went out on her first official date with Aaron.
Even so, Meghan’s stomach flipped at the thought that Jonah might awaken while she was gone.
“I thought we declared this a no-worry zone,” Aaron said. His eyes twinkled with gentle humor.
“I’m trying. Honest.”
“If anything happens, I promise you’ll be back at the hospital before you can say Jack Frost.”
“That fast, huh?”
“Even faster.”
Holding on to his reassurance, she skimmed the menu. “So what do you recommend?”
“A little bit of everything.”
“Seriously?”
He chuckled. “Okay, what’s your favorite? Beef, pork, or chicken?”
“I suppose the healthy PC answer is chicken, but I confess. I love beef.”
“Then I recommend the brisket.”
“What about you? What are you having?”
“The same.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s my favorite too.”
They laid the menus aside, and Meghan nervously placed her napkin in her lap as she looked around the rustic room. All those years ago, when she’d been a starry-eyed college student, AJ had mentioned bringing her to this place a few times. But for one reason or another, it never happened. Not that she’d told Aaron that.
She was still surprised he’d asked her out. Even more surprised at the flutter in her stomach and the delight she’d felt when he did.
“I take it you come here often,” Meghan said. Their waitress and a couple of others had greeted Aaron by name when they walked in.
“Been coming here for years. It’s a little out of the way but worth it. Especially on Thursday nights.” He glanced toward the makeshift stage. “Though it looks like we’re a little early for the band.”
“That’s my fault. I’m sorry we couldn’t have come later.”
Aaron was shaking his head before she could finish her apology. “I’m just glad we’re here,” he said, almost sheepishly. “That’s all that matters.”
“I’m glad too.” Meghan slightly flushed, then sipped her water. She had to admit it felt good to eat somewhere besides her apartment or the hospital cafeteria. And to have company instead of eating alone.
Still, even with Dawn by Jonah’s side, Meghan hadn’t been comfortable staying out too late. Aaron understood her apprehension and seemed determined to ease her fears. She didn’t think she’d ever met anyone so good and kind.
“Do you ever get angry?” she blurted, then flushed again as Aaron gave her a strange look and laughed.
“What made you ask that?”
“I don’t know. It’s just, you’re always so patient and so sweet. All the children love you.”
“They do?”
“They talk about you during arts and crafts time. They’re very fond of you.”
“I’m fond of them too.”
“So do you? Get angry?”
Aaron slightly shook his head, then hesitated. “There are times when I wonder . . .”
“What?” Meghan prompted.
“I wonder why. Why are these particular children afflicted with diseases and injuries?”
“Let me know if you ever find the answer.”
“I don’t suppose there is one. At least not this side of heaven. But anger doesn’t make anyone feel better. It doesn’t heal or soothe or solve anything.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that. Sometimes it feels really good to scream and shout and even break things.”
Aaron’s good-natured chuckle filled the air with cheer. “Do you know what Aristotle said?”
“Nooo,” Meghan said. “I don’t think so.”
“I won’t get it exactly right, but he said something about the key to anger is having the right amount at the right time about the right situation. We’re not good at that. People in general, I mean.”
Meghan mulled the words around in her mind. He was right, of course. Anger too often seemed more detrimental to the person feeling it than to anyone else. Despite what she’d said, she was proof of that. Though no one could blame her for being angry when her son had been in a coma for weeks.
Right amount at the right time.
She needed to think about that some more but not now.
“Let’s find something more cheerful to talk about, shall we?” she asked. “What do you do when you’re not at the hospital?”
“I read a lot. Travel when I can.”
“Travel where?”
“Promise not to laugh?”
“I promise.”
Aaron gave a self-conscious chuckle. “I’m trying to see a game at every major college football stadium.”
“Football?” Meghan exaggerated her disbelief. “I should have known. How many have you seen?”
“Most of the ones within five hundred miles, including all fourteen stadiums in the Big Ten Conference.”
“Wait a minute. Shouldn’t there only be ten stadiums in the Big Ten?”
“They’ve expanded over the years. I’ve already got tickets for games at Clemson, Florida State, and Notre Dame, though I’ve been to that last one before.”
“Any other hobbies?”
“Why don’t you tell me about yours instead?”
“I’ve learned to knit. Other than that, I don’t really have any.”
“Then tell me about life as an artist.”
“It’s not very glamorous. Sometimes it’s even lonely spending hours by myself in my studio.” A studio she hadn’t stepped foot in since Jonah’s accident. The lease ended next month, and she needed to decide whether to renew it. But how could she make decisions about the future when Jonah’s prognosis was so uncertain? Only God knew when they’d be able to go home. If they’d ever go home.
“Your studio is in Michigan?”
“A little town just over the state line called Brennan Grove. I rent a house there on the edge of town. My studio is in a converted barn. It’s perfect, actually. One section is all windows. That’s where I hang my stained glass pieces when I’m working on them. To see how the sun shines through the colors. I like experimenting.”
“You must miss being there.”
“I do. There’s nothing quite so . . . fulfilling . . . as knowing you’ve captured the image that was inside of yourself onto a collection of colored glass. To make something whole out of pieces.”
The on-edge tension she carried with her like
an extra appendage lessened while her conversation with Aaron ebbed and flowed, delightful and engaging. For a little while, as difficult as it was, she put her worries to rest.
Brett took a deep breath, then knocked on the cottage door. When Dani opened it, he braced himself for whatever welcome she gave him. But he couldn’t help an appreciative smile at how attractive she appeared. Her brown hair brushed her shoulders, and the dusky blue sundress she wore flattered her figure. The lovely mouth shimmered with pink gloss, and a dusting of blush accented her cheeks.
“You look lovely,” he said. Words he’d said hundreds of times to dozens of women. But he’d never meant the compliment as much as he did at this moment. “I mean it. You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Dani flushed slightly, her hand gripping the knob as if unsure whether to open the door wider or close it on him.
“These are for you.” He handed her the bouquet of assorted flowers he’d picked up on his way to the cottage. Usually he ordered a stunning arrangement of roses or tulips delivered to his chosen recipient. But this time he joined the florist in selecting a unique collection of daisies and miniature carnations, then tying their stems together with a broad pink gingham ribbon.
Dani deserved more than his “usual.” He wanted everything about his relationship with her, even if it turned out to be no relationship at all, to be different.
“They’re . . .” She bit her lip, then the corners of her mouth turned up into a smile. “They’re festive.”
“You like them?”
She nodded as she inhaled their sweet fragrance. “Very much. Do you want to come in?”
“Only for a moment. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked AJ and Shelby to join us.”
“I know. Shelby told me.”
“Is that okay?”
“Absolutely. Do you suppose AJ has a vase somewhere in this place?”
“I’ll help you look.” He followed her into the tiny kitchen, then stopped by the counter. “Tell you what. You stay on this side of the counter and let me see what I can find.”
She appeared to mull the meaning behind his words, then slightly exhaled. “Good idea.”
As she slipped past him, he resisted the urge to take her into his arms. Instead he opened cupboard doors until he found a large mason jar under the sink. He held it up with a grimace. “This is the best I can come up with. Guess I should have brought a vase.”
“It’s perfect.” She gently laid the flowers on the counter, then untied the bow holding the stems together. After arranging the bouquet, she tied the ribbon around the lip of the jar. “How’s that?”
“Looks nice.”
“Country chic.” She centered the jar on the pub table. “They fit with this place. As if they belong here.”
“Like you belong here.”
“I’m not sure where I belong.”
“But you’ll stay here until you can figure it out?”
“I suppose I will.” She slightly shrugged. “As long as AJ lets me, anyway.”
“He won’t be moving back in.”
“No, I guess not.”
“About last night. I shouldn’t have left the way I did. I can’t really explain it except to say, I guess I got a little scared.”
“Of me?”
“Of how I’m beginning to feel about you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.” He squeezed her fingers. Even that gentle touch swarmed through him. “We better go.”
“I need to grab a jacket in case it gets chilly later.” He let her fingers slip from his, and she disappeared into another room. When she returned, she dropped her purse and jacket in a chair and held up her camera.
“I want to take a photo of the flowers. Do we have time?”
“Sure.”
She snapped a few shots, then placed the camera in its bag.
“Why don’t you bring that with you? We can take a few photos to celebrate our anniversary.”
“Today’s our anniversary?” she said doubtfully.
“Okay, it’s a day early. But tomorrow is the four-week anniversary of when we met.” He should take her somewhere nice to celebrate. Candlelight. Soft music.
“I thought only women thought of things like that.”
“What can I say? I’m a romantic.”
“What happened to our other weekly anniversaries?”
“We spent the first one moving you into this place, and last week you were confessing your thievery.”
“Great. Is that going to be our story?” Her eyes rounded, and she hurried to correct herself. “I mean, the story. Your story. You know what I mean.”
“It sure is.” He glanced at his watch. “AJ and Shelby will think we stood them up if we don’t get going. Plus, Boyd’s fills up quickly on Thursdays. It’s classic car night, and there’s a band that plays the oldies but goodies.”
“I’m ready.” Dani gathered her things, and Brett carried the camera bag.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Shelby and AJ slid into the backseat of the Lexus.
“I haven’t been to Boyd’s in months,” Shelby said as she fastened her seatbelt.
“I didn’t know you’d ever been there,” AJ replied.
“Just once.”
Brett glanced at her in the rearview mirror, then headed down the driveway. “Ancient history.”
“You went there with Brett?” AJ asked, his tone incredulous.
“That was before I knew the two of you were cousins.”
“New rule,” Brett said. “No talking about the past.”
“But you are so much fun to tease,” Shelby answered. “And I don’t get the chance very often.”
Stopping at the end of the drive, Brett glanced at Dani. A slight smile curved her lips as she returned his gaze. A sense of contentment settled over him as he pulled onto the road. A pretty girl beside him. His cousin in the backseat with his bride-to-be. An enjoyable evening before them.
If only he could be content with such simplicity every day of his messed-up life. For tonight, he vowed, he’d banish his worries about Jonah and Amy from his mind and concentrate on the people he was with.
Good food. Good companions.
It was going to be a great evening.
– 33 –
The band was going strong, entertaining the crowd with an eclectic selection of classic country-western and golden oldies. The hostess led Brett and Dani to their booth, but AJ and Shelby were stopped along the way by a few teens at a nearby table.
“His students,” Brett explained to Dani as he slid into the booth beside her. “Can’t take him anywhere around here without students or their parents wanting to talk to him.”
“He’s a popular teacher?”
“And coaches football. When’s the last time you went to a high school football game?”
“Not since high school.”
“Maybe we could go tomorrow night. Cheer AJ and the team.”
“First an OSU game, now high school. You’re making a lot of plans for us.”
“Suppose I am. First things first, though. How about we go to Bicentennial Park on Saturday for a picnic? We can even bike the Scioto Mile.”
“I left my bicycle in Cincinnati.”
“Not a problem. They have rentals.”
“One question. What is the Scioto Mile?”
“It’s an ‘urban oasis,’” he said, making air quotes. “Mainly it connects the downtown area to the river. There’s a huge fountain in the middle of the park. It’s a Columbus landmark, so you’ve got to see it.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Okay if I pick you up about ten?”
“Wouldn’t it be easier for me to meet you in Columbus? That way you won’t have to backtrack.”
“Easier, yes. But not very gentlemanly.”
“I think I can overlook that. At least this once.” She picked up one of the menus the hostess had left on the table. “What are you getting?”
“What
I always get. Best pulled pork north of the Ohio River.”
“I’ll try that too.”
“You won’t regret it.”
As AJ stepped back for Shelby to slide into the booth, his attention seemed caught by someone across the room. He nodded and waved, then took his seat.
“Who is that guy over there?” he asked Brett. “He’s familiar, but I can’t place him.”
“What guy?”
“On the other side of the stage. Red curly hair.”
Brett scanned the crowd, then smiled. “Aaron Wiley. He used to come over sometimes after school.” He casually waved, and Aaron nodded in return. But his amiable smile appeared frozen in place.
“He works at the children’s hospital, doesn’t he?” AJ asked.
“Yeah. He used to give me updates on Jonah.”
“Used to?” AJ asked.
“I quit asking. He’s always been a good friend, but I didn’t want him getting into trouble.” A little white lie, but what did it matter?
“Is that who delivered your birthday gift to Jonah?” Shelby asked. “Meghan told me he’s really good with the children. They love him.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she gazed at Brett, an apologetic look in her eyes.
“It’s okay. And yes, to answer your question, he did.” Hard to believe that was only a month ago.
“Dani and I already know what we’re getting,” he said, forcing cheer into his voice. “What about you two?”
“Brett,” AJ said quietly, then nodded his head toward Aaron’s table. Brett glanced that way, and the blood rushed from his head. Aaron walked toward them. And with him was Meghan.
Brett took a deep breath, then stood as they approached. “Aaron,” he said, holding out a hand. “Good to see you.”
Aaron clasped his hand. His usually warm smile was slightly reserved. “Good to see you too, man.”
“Hi, Meghan,” Brett said.
“Hello, Brett.” She turned toward the table and smiled at Shelby and AJ.
“It’s so great to see you outside of the hospital,” Shelby said warmly.
“I almost feel like a normal person.” Meghan laughed nervously. “My friend Dawn Lahm is in town. You met her, AJ, at the gallery.”
“I remember her.”
“She’s here for a few days to attend an art symposium, so when Aaron asked me out, well—”
When Love Arrives Page 23