by Ruth Roberts
Now it was evening. Zack and Cassidy would be there any minute to pick them up, and she felt as nervous as a teenager on her first date, which was silly because this was not a date. They were just taking the girls to the movie in the town square.
“Did you find my ‘Shrek’® blanket?” Jessica asked.
“Yes, it’s right here.” Diana gestured to the green, rolled-up blanket under her arm.
Jessica nodded. “Good. I can’t watch ‘Shrek’® without my blanket,” she said and bounded down the stairs. She was halfway down when the doorbell rang. “They’re here!” she called back to Diana.
“Do not open that door, young lady,” Diana said. She had discovered Jessica had the scary habit of opening the door when the doorbell rang, not bothering to see who it was.
“But it’s Cassidy and her uncle,” Jessica said, crossing her little arms across her chest. She reminded Diana of the young Liz.
“Have you checked to see if it’s them?”
Jessica shook her head, setting her curls to bouncing.
“Do not open the door if you haven’t checked to see who it is. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she replied quietly. Diana hugged her to take the sting out of her words. Then she opened the door. There stood Zack, looking sinfully handsome in a pair of jeans and a black polo shirt. Cassidy wore jeans and a t-shirt with Shrek and Fiona on it.
“Hey, you two. We are all ready to go,” she said, ushering Jessica out the door.
***
A soft floral and fruity scent tickled Zack’s nose and flooded his senses. The familiar smell rekindled memories he’d thought were buried. Desires and dreams he’d fought to vanquish were still there. It was a fight he had apparently lost.
Diana represented everything he’d ever wanted in life, things he had tried to want with Hannah, but never quite succeeded. He still couldn’t completely convince himself it was fair for him to have another chance at love and happiness when Hannah didn’t. He just didn’t know if it was a chance he could take, no matter how badly he wanted to.
The girls scampered into the backseat while he opened the door for Diana.
“Thank you,” she said, quietly. Her smile caused a flutter in his chest. He nodded and closed the door. As he got in and fastened his own seatbelt Diana turned and looked at the girls to make sure they were buckled in. As he set the car in gear and drove away he had to force himself not to reach for Diana’s hand. He was glad it was a short drive to town.
***
The town square was already full of people when they arrived. “This is our spot,” Cassidy said. He looked up at Diana and felt bad he had ignored her as they walked across the square. Perhaps it was better that way. He should keep her at arm’s length. She helped the girls spread out their blankets and sat on the far end of Jessica’s. With the two girls sitting next to each other that left him on the other side of Cassidy. She had managed to put as much space between them as possible.
“Uncle Zack, can you buy us some popcorn?” She pointed to the popcorn vendor coming towards them.
“Absolutely. We can’t watch a movie without popcorn.” He motioned to the vendor. “Four please.”
Diana tried to hand him money as he passed her two boxes of popcorn. He felt his face harden as he shook his head.
“Thanks, Zack. I’ll get the cotton candy later.”
“This is a date, Auntie Diana. The boy always pays on a date.”
“You heard the little lady.” He winked at Diana as he passed around cotton candy next.
“I like it when the boy pays,” Jessica said with a mouthful of cotton candy.
“It looks like I’m outnumbered.” Diana took her cotton candy from him and smiled. He felt like he’d been sucker punched in the gut. Her smile had always had that effect on him.
“The movie’s starting,” the girls said excitedly, in unison. A cheer went up around the square from all the kids.
Zack looked over at Diana, and she rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe they made a Shrek® Three. If they make a fourth one, I absolutely refuse to watch it,” she said.
“You’re kidding me. Shrek® is the bomb. I’d go see a fourth Shrek® film,” he said.
“Me, too,” said Cassidy.
“Me three,” Jessica piped in.
“Hey, squirt, you’re supposed to take my side.” She playfully tugged Jessica’s hair.
“Sorry, Diana, but this is Shrek® we’re talking about.”
Zack laughed. “She is one smart little lady. But to be fair and put you out of your misery, I brought these.” He pulled a deck of cards out of his bag. “I figured you wouldn’t want to sit and watch the whole movie.”
She took the cards and held them to her chest as if they were a favored stuffed animal.
“Aw, Zack, you know me so well. I haven’t had time to play Gin Rummy in years. I could kiss you.” She smiled up at him, and there was the ever faithful punch in the gut.
“It’s no big deal. Kind of hard to forget all those hours you made me play with you.” He shrugged off her comments. The smile slid from her face, and he felt like a world class heel. She set the cards down between them.
“I’m going to get some drinks from the market. Does anyone want something?” Diana asked.
“I’ll take grape juice,” Jessica said.
“Me, too,” said Cassidy
“Zack?” She didn’t look at him, just gathered her purse and stood up. When he didn’t answer she finally looked at him, her brow raised in question. He stood too and gently cupped Diana’s elbow leading her away. “I’ll be right back, girls. Stay put.” They both nodded without looking back.
“We can’t leave them alone.” Diana argued as he guided her towards the empty bench a few feet away.
“This is Magnolia Falls. Look around, we’ve known all these people our whole lives. Besides, we can still see them from here.”
“What are you doing, Zack?”
He knew she meant more than their seating arrangements. He had been sending hot and cold signals. He didn’t blame her for asking. “I’m sorry about earlier. Some of my happiest memories are of us spending hour’s playing cards. I especially liked what we played for.”
“Kisses, the chocolate kind.”
He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll tell you a secret.” He put his arm across the back of the bench, behind her back and leaned towards her. “I always hoped we could play for the real kind.”
Big, green eyes looked back at him. Heart-shaped, pink lips formed a circle as she said, “Oh.” She moved back a couple of inches and stared straight ahead instead of at him.
Darn. Why had he said that to her? Her parents had just died. Liz was anorexic, and she was now responsible for raising a child. “I can’t do this.” She gestured between the two of them. “Us. I’m sorry if I led you to believe there was more.” She ran a hand through her hair. It fell in waves like a waterfall down her back. He watched her hair, and then looked back into her eyes.
“You didn’t.” Her words should make him happy. She was putting distance between them, which was exactly what he wanted. Now, if only he could start believing that.
***
Both girls had fallen asleep in the back of Zack’s SUV on their way home. After their conversation on the bench, Zack had been quiet the rest of the evening, which was fine with her. The only reason she’d agreed to go tonight was for Jessica. She needed some normalcy in her life right now. Diana was determined she would give that to her, even if it meant spending an evening with her old crush. Zack pulled up to her house. Before she could thank him he said. “I’m sorry about earlier. Heck! I’m sorry about the whole night.”
“No problem. Thanks for the ride.”
His hand on her arm stopped her from opening the door. “Diana, can we be friends again? We were pretty good at it once.”
She ran her hand through her hair to keep herself from laying it over his hand on her arm. “I’d like that.” Why had sh
e said that? Could have something to do with those whisky-colored eyes. She could get drunk on them. She had at one time long ago.
“Thanks. I know you have a lot on your plate. Whatever you need, I’m here.” He ran a hand down her hair, and she had to fight the urge to tremble.
“I just might take you up on that if Liz manages to run Logan off.”
“Who’s Logan?”
“The eating disorder therapist I hired. He arrived today, and Liz chose to disappear so she wouldn’t have to see him.”
“How bad is her problem?”
“Bad enough she collapsed after her last fashion show and was hospitalized for three days. The doctor said if she didn’t get help soon her heart will give out or other organs will start shutting down.”
“I didn’t realize she was that bad off. I’m sorry. I know being saddled with Liz is the last thing you wanted.”
“No kidding. But she seems to be different. She’s changed since we were kids.”
“Yeah, she has. She’s spent quite a bit of time up here over the last year I’ve been back and even before then.”
“Has she? I didn’t know.” So Liz had been the dutiful daughter all these years while Diana was busy building her career. Another strike against Diana.
“Hey.” Zack wiped a tear off her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Why the tears?” She shook her head. “I just thought of my parents. I’m sure it will take a while before I stop bursting into tears at odd times and places.” She managed a small smile. “Thanks again for tonight. Jessica needed it, and so did I.”
“Anytime. Want me to carry her in?”
‘‘No need, she is light. I can manage.” She pushed the door open and got out before she did something really embarrassing, like kiss him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The following morning Diana was coming down the stairs when she saw Liz trying to slip out the front door. “Going somewhere?”
Liz jumped at the sound of her voice. “I have errands.”
“At this time on a Sunday morning? Nothing is open in Magnolia Falls.” Diana reached the bottom of the stairs. “You are going to have to meet him sometime. Now would probably be a good time, considering the amazing smells coming from the kitchen are his doing.”
Liz sighed and set her purse down on the foyer table. “It does smell good, doesn’t it?”
Diana nodded and wrapped her arm with Liz’s. “We will do this together. I promise he isn’t an ogre. As a matter of fact, he is kind of cute.”
“Does my sister have designs on my eating coach? Wait until Zack hears he has competition.” Liz smiled the mischievous smile that used to scare Diana. Now she felt no fear, only camaraderie.
“There is no competition,” Diana said.
“A little competition might be just what Zack needs.”
“Zack is a friend, nothing more,” Diana said. Was she trying to convince Liz or herself? After last night she didn’t know.
They entered the kitchen to find Logan pulling something out of the oven. “Good morning, ladies. You are just in time for a blueberry coffee cake.” He set it down on the counter. “We also have egg white and spinach omelets.” He pulled a chair out at the table. “You must be Liz. This is your seat.”
Diana pulled her arm out of Liz’s so she could accept the offered chair. Liz just stood there, staring at Logan. He didn’t move, nor did he speak. Diana recognized this as a fight of wills. She also hadn’t missed the way Logan had looked at Liz when they walked in. Diana was used to seeing that stunned look on men’s faces when they first saw Liz. She had to give Logan credit though. He was able to hide his reaction much more quickly than most men. Finally she nudged Liz on the back. “If you don’t go, then I will. I’m starving, and the food smells amazing.”
Liz went to the table and sat at the seat Logan offered her. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
Logan smiled triumphantly at Diana over Liz’s head. “There is a plate for you as well.” He went to the other side of the table and held out the chair for Diana. “If you don’t mind, I will join you. I thought we could get to know each other a little since we will all be living under the same roof.”
“That’s an excellent idea, Logan. Thank you,” Diana said. She sat down and took a bite of the wonderful omelet. The flavors were amazing.
Over the next half hour Diana was amazed at how Logan managed to put Liz at ease. He had her talking freely after ten minutes. That never happened. Liz was always very reserved. She had let her guard down so much she finished her omelet without even realizing she was eating. Granted, it was a small portion, smaller than her own Diana had noticed. Still, it was progress. Perhaps this was going to work.
When they had just finished eating, a sleepy Jessica walked into the kitchen. “What smells so good?”
“That would be blueberry coffee cake,” Logan said.
Jessica scrunched up her face. “Why would anybody put coffee in a cake? Yuck.” Her comment elicited a laugh from all three adults.
Jessica looked at them bewildered, but still walked to Liz who pulled her into her lap. “There isn’t any coffee in it. They call it a coffee cake because people like to eat a slice while they drink coffee. Would you like a piece?” Logan asked her.
Jessica nodded and laid her head on Liz. She was still sleepy. Diana stood and poured a glass of milk while Logan brought the cake along with plates to the table. He served a large piece for Jessica and set it in front of her. He then served smaller portions to himself and Diana. As they sat at the table talking, Jessica proceeded to eat her cake. Liz absentmindedly picked up a few pieces now and then and ate them. Diana realized that was why Logan had given Jessica more. He was counting on Liz eating some as well.
After they had all finished eating breakfast, Diana stood and reached for Jessica’s hand. “Let’s go get you dressed. We have to pick up Cassidy because her Uncle Zack has to go see a sick horse.”
“Yippee.” Jessica jumped out of Liz’s lap and followed Diana out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Zack had called earlier that morning asking if she could watch Cassidy for him. In exchange he would pick up the girls from school the rest of the week. Diana had a feeling the next month of co-parenting two small girls with Zack was going to wreak havoc with her self-control.
***
When she and Jessica arrived at Zack’s to pick up Cassidy things were in chaos. Cassidy was crying and Zack was trying to calm her down while he gathered his vet bag. “Hey guys. What’s going on?” Diana asked.
Cassidy ran to her and threw her arms around her legs. “Auntie Diana, I can’t find my necklace that mommy gave me, and uncle Zack won’t help me look.”
Diana looked up at Zack and saw the pained expression on his face. “I really have to go see this horse. I promise I will look for it when I get home Cassidy.”
“Jessica and I can help her. We will find it, won’t we Jessica?”
“Yes, we will. Come on Cassidy, let’s go look in your room.” Jessica took Cassidy’s hand and they went up the stairs.
“I feel awful,” Zack said.
“She’s six, everything is ten times worse at that age, especially for a girl. She will be fine. Now go save that horse.”
Zack dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. “Thank you. I owe you.”
***
Diana walked into her father’s law offices on Monday morning and was greeted by Mrs. Morrow, his long-time secretary. She had kept the office up and running during the last few weeks since the accident with another attorney from Hartford helping out with court appearances. Tears sprang to her eyes. She couldn’t imagine this office without her father in it. The ever-perceptive Mrs. Morrow noticed, stood from her desk, and enveloped Diana in a hug.
“It’s good to have you here, honey. It was your dad’s dream that you take over one day.”
“But not today and not without him.” Diana sniffed. A few stray tears managed to fall.
“He was very proud of you and the c
hoices you’d made. Don’t ever lose sight of that.”
Diana nodded. “Thank you.” She walked towards her father’s office slowly and pushed open his door. It still smelled of him, peppermint and his cologne.
“Go on in. I promise there aren’t any ghosts in there.”
Taking a deep breath, she stepped over the threshold and walked to his desk, not so sure Mrs. Morrow was right. She pulled his brown leather chair out and sat down. Despite her most valiant effort she couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She picked up the picture of her father and her stepmother and looked into their happy, smiling faces. It was so hard to fathom she would never see them again, never hear their laughter. It wasn’t fair. They were too young and she, Jessica, and Liz still needed them. She slammed their picture face down on the desk and winced when she heard the sound of glass breaking.
“I’ll bring a new frame for that later.”
She jumped at the masculine voice and looked up to see Zack standing just inside the office. He had closed the door.
“What are you doing here?” She couldn’t keep the annoyance out of her voice. She didn’t want him to witness her every outburst.
“I thought you could use some coffee and a strawberry muffin this morning, not to mention company on your first day.” He held up the tray of coffee cups and a white bag. She could smell Ray’s famous muffins. They were her favorite. He’d remembered.
“That was thoughtful of you, but I don’t think I’ll be very good company right now.” She sniffed.
“That’s okay. I owe you one,” he said. He set the coffee and muffins on the table and then he walked around the desk, and knelt down in front of her, taking both her hands in his. “It will get better. It will just take some time. I promise.”
Diana nodded. The tears fell harder. Before she could stop herself she lunged into Zack’s arms. He lifted her and carried her to the sofa in the corner of the office. He held her in his lap and ran his hand up and down her hair in a soothing motion. He didn’t offer any platitudes. He let her cry it all out. She had been strong for Liz and Jessica. Now she needed someone to be strong for her. Once again, Zack was there when she needed him. She had missed him all these years.