Central Park Rendezvous

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

  Patrick stared at the coin in Alan’s hand. Pain filled his eyes when he glanced at his father just before he turned and stalked away. Alan closed his hand over the coin. Why hadn’t he noticed Patrick standing there sooner? The redhead had distracted him before he could play interference between his friend and his father.

  He should go after Patrick, but those eyes had caught him again in living color. “Hazel… and green.”

  Had he said that out loud?

  Chapter 2

  He’d noticed her eyes. For once she got noticed for something other than her hair. Gail didn’t hold back her smile this time, and Alan didn’t disappoint her with his. She even liked the way it tweaked back the sides of his goatee.

  Marcia pushed herself next to Gail, which effectively made her the center of attention. As usual. Alan’s smile slipped into concern at something behind her. Gail looked over her shoulder to see Patrick weaving his way through the mingling guests.

  Alan started after him, but Marcia tugged him back. “You’re not splitting yet, I hope. Not before I introduce you to my sister. Alan, meet Gail Gibson, a wannabe homemaker who’s a junior at Brown.”

  “Marcia!” Even past their teen years, her sister seemed to take sick pleasure in embarrassing her.

  “Well, it’s true, isn’t it?” She returned her attention to Alan. “She’s staying with us for the summer.”

  Gail tried to ignore the heavy implication in Marcia’s voice. Had she not just told her sister she was engaged? “I’m sorry, Alan. My sister doesn’t seem to know how to behave today.” She held out her hand to shake his. “I’m Gail. Gail Gibson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Pleasure to meet you… Gail.” Alan clasped his hand into hers but didn’t shake it. Nor did he seem to want to let go.

  Neither did she. How was that possible? He held her hand as if he knew her… and the warmth of his made her feel… safe. But not safe like Troy. More like protected… cherished. Was she losing her ever-loving mind?

  Marcia clapped her hands together. “I have a fabulous idea. You two should spend the summer together.”

  Gail yanked her hand back. “What? Marcia, that’s inappropriate.”

  Her sister rolled her eyes. “I mean, you’ll be here the entire summer, and I’m somewhat limited with the kids. Alan could be your chaperone. You know, show you around the city, take you to some shows. He could even take you to his antique shop.”

  Alan kept looking over her shoulder as if searching for someone. Or an escape route. “I’d be happy to. Could you ladies excuse me a moment?”

  “Of course.” Gail dropped her eyes. Leave it to her sister to ruin the moment. Not that she wanted a moment. She forced an image of Troy into her mind as she waited until Alan passed out of earshot and Mr. Wolfe found better company in a conversation a few feet away, then glared at Marcia. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

  “What?” Marcia gave her a coy smile. “I did nothing you wouldn’t have done if you weren’t so stodgy.”

  “You know I hate that word.”

  “Of course I do.” Marcia waltzed off like a cat that just devoured its catch.

  Gail would have faded into the striped wallpaper if she could and become the true definition of a wallflower, but her petals felt wilted and pathetic. Why hadn’t she just stayed in Rhode Island with her parents for the summer? She would have at least had her friends there. But she’d agreed to stay with her sister to help with the kids. Patrick and Marcia’s marital problems had far outreached anything Gail could offer, but at least she could be an aunt to her nieces and nephew and help them adjust when Patrick shipped out again.

  Her anger at her sister shifted to sympathy. Would she handle things any differently if she were in Marcia’s worn-out shoes? Gail would like to think so, but in reality she doubted she could stand up under the constant fear of losing someone she loved in a war.

  Again, another reason to marry Troy. His health issues had made him ineligible for the military. And there lay another reason to be his wife. He needed someone to help him stay healthy and strong. He needed her.

  Timing was never Alan’s strong suit, but his friend needed him more than he needed to get to know a pretty girl. He scoped the next room and caught a glimpse of Patrick sitting on a wrought-iron bench by the fountain… alone.

  Leaving regret behind, Alan walked through the open door and closed the distance to where his friend sat like a lost child.

  “Patrick, I’m really sorry.”

  Eyes squinting against the sun, Patrick smiled up at him. “Man, don’t worry about it. I totally get it. You think I don’t know how my father feels about his messed-up son.”

  Alan took a seat on the lounge chair next him. “He just doesn’t understand.”

  “He never has understood me. Just like I don’t get him.”

  “Maybe if you tried talking to him.”

  “No, it will never change. The man is what he is. I’ve come to accept that.”

  But Alan knew better. He saw the pained expressions on his friend’s face when he heard his father’s comment. Alan had even braved an attempt to talk to Henry about it once. Both men were as stubborn as they came.

  “Your father only asked me to research the coin. He wants you to have it but doesn’t know how to tell you how he feels.”

  “I already know how he feels. Especially since I told him…”

  “Told him what?”

  “I don’t want to take over the business.”

  “Why decide that now? You might change your mind when you get back.”

  Patrick stared at him, a war blazing behind his eyes that Alan could only stand and watch from a distance. “I don’t know if I’m coming back, Alan.” He lowered his gaze to the gurgling water. “Don’t even know if I want to.”

  Alan inhaled to recapture the breath his friend’s words knocked out of him. “Why? Don’t you want to be with Marcia and the kids?”

  His friend’s short laugh dripped with sarcasm. “I don’t think Marcia cares where I am. At least over there I know where I stand. I know what needs to be done, and I do it. And I’m good at it. Here… with Marcia and my father… I’m not…” Patrick cleared his throat and stood. “You better get back in there before you miss a chance with Gail. She’s one of the good ones, you know what I mean?”

  Alan rose and nodded. Patrick patted him on the back then walked inside. Alan would let his friend be for now. But he’d pray for Patrick’s safe return and for a future that included his family’s respect. A man could do just about anything if he knew someone stood behind him, believed in him.

  He’d only come to understand this truth when Henry Wolfe saw something in Alan worth cultivating and mentoring. Henry was the closest thing to a father in Alan’s life. He just wished the man had seen the same potential in Patrick, who had become like a brother to Alan over the years. Even his sister had commented about Patrick being like a brother to both of them. And they needed all the family they could get.

  Alan watched how the water glistened and rippled in the fading light of day. The coin beckoned for another glance, and Alan obliged. How many hands that had possessed the coin had seen battle? His hunger for history wanted to know more. Where had the coin been, and who had carried it through the years in hopes of love and luck, as Henry had stated?

  “I’d say a penny for your thoughts, but that doesn’t look like a penny.”

  He spun to his left and stopped, but his heart kept going. Gail smiled at him, eyes brimming with promise… and something else.

  With a nervous laugh, Alan thumbed the coin on his palm. “No, definitely not a penny.”

  She smiled, started to speak, then hesitated. “Alan, I’d like to apologize for my sister’s pushiness.”

  He measured his words, trying to choose a diplomatic response. Marcia’s behavior was her own. “No need. And I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I’ve known Patrick for a long time.”

 
Gail nodded but didn’t say anything, though she still seemed to have something on her mind.

  Could that something be…? “I’d be happy to, you know.”

  She frowned slightly, which drew her lips into a small bow. “Happy to what?”

  “Show you the city. And my shop.”

  “Oh, please don’t let my sister’s suggestion push you into anything.”

  “I’m not. As I said, I’d be happy to. There’s a lot to see in Manhattan. If you’re here for the whole summer, you might as well take in some of it in. Ever been to the Statue of Liberty?”

  “No, actually. My family had planned to when I was younger, but our plans wound up getting canceled.”

  “Well see, there’s one landmark you absolutely have to see.” He tossed the coin in the air, pocketed it, and smiled.

  “All right then, I guess that could work.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

  “Then I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at ten.”

  “Thank you, but I should tell you—”

  “Gail!” Marcia stood by the glass door, waving Gail inside. “Jennifer’s crying again.”

  “Be there in just a second.” Gail glanced from her sister back to Alan. “Sorry. My niece seems to think I’m the only one who knows how to play Barbies correctly.”

  Alan smiled. “I understand. See you in the morning.” He paused a moment then followed Gail’s direction. Marcia lingered in the doorway.

  When he tried to pass, she blocked him. “Planning something with my sister?”

  “Just taking your suggestion to show her around the city.”

  Again, she scoured him like a wolf sizing up its next meal. “Interesting… well, I’m sure you two will have a great time. Maybe you can save her from that dreadful fiancé of hers.”

  “Fiancé?”

  “Yes, didn’t she tell you?” She skulked off, glancing over her shoulder at him, giving obvious sway to her hips.

  The day suddenly felt like a bust. Alan found Henry and Patrick and said his good-byes. Gail remained absent from view but not from Alan’s mind. Better this way. He’d be in another country in a couple months, gone for a good two years. Though disappointed, Alan would be the gentleman, keep his word to Gail, and respect that she was engaged.

  They would be friends. Just friends.

  Chapter 3

  Wind whipped around the bow of the ship. Ahead lay Liberty Island and its most famous female regaled in patina green. The sea air held the rumble of boats and the smell of diesel. Sunlight glinted off the rippling water like floating gems. Gail pulled out the scarf she’d thoughtfully stuffed into her purse and tied it over her hair.

  Though cordial, Alan had remained distinctly quiet during the brief ride from the Wolfe estate to the city. Had he really only offered out of her sister’s bullying? Gail hadn’t missed the exchange yesterday between Marcia and Alan as she went up the stairs to check on her niece. When would she learn to not let her sister goad her into rash decisions? Maybe she should have turned Alan down.

  Or better yet, face the question head-on: “Alan, why did you offer to show me around the city?”

  He studied her a moment then laughed. “Now that’s a question I hadn’t expected.”

  Gail smiled, looked back to the water. “My sister isn’t the only outspoken one in our family. I just implement more tact than she does. I do hope I didn’t offend you though.”

  “No, I like directness.” His jaw tightened then relaxed. “All right, I’ll be direct, too. At first I’d hoped to get to know the pretty redhead with smoky eyes better. A lot better. But then your sister mentioned you had a fiancé.”

  “Oh, she did, eh?” She snapped her attention back to him.

  Alan nodded, but his brown eyes remained steady and focused on her. Almost seemed to challenge her to deny the truth.

  “I tried to tell you yesterday before Marcia interrupted. Then when I came back downstairs, you were gone. I guess I could have asked Patrick how to contact you and called….” She’d actually thought about doing that very thing but didn’t like telling him over the phone, where she wouldn’t be able to gauge his reaction.

  “But…”

  She turned to face him and added some spunk to her tone. “But I could use a friend this summer. My sister isn’t exactly friendly material.”

  “Yes, I noticed. She’s one extreme to another.”

  Gail waited a moment to speak, fighting off the familiar embarrassment over her sister. She’d long bypassed offense when others spoke of her sister’s behavior, though that alone saddened her. “I guess you’ve been around her enough.”

  “Enough.”

  She wanted to ask what he held back. Her sister seemed to have driven off many of Patrick’s friends. Would Alan be next?

  An awkward silence fizzed around them.

  “I can be a friend.”

  His blurted words startled her. He held his head partly turned toward her, brow raised with a funny grin lifting one side of his mouth. Now he was just humoring her.

  “Is that a willing offer or a duty to be filled, Mr. James?”

  “Oh, definitely a willing offer, Miss Gibson. One I dearly hope you’ll accept.”

  “Then, I do, Mr. James… Alan. Most gratefully.”

  “Good, then that’s one question settled. Now it’s my turn.” She leaned against the railing. “Shoot away.”

  “This won’t be easy, mind you. I’m not in the habit of asking easy questions.”

  “I think I’m up to the task.”

  “Are you sure, because I wouldn’t want to wear you out before we even get to see Lady Liberty.”

  “I promise to give it my best effort.” She giggled.

  “Okay, here goes. Now be honest.”

  She nodded.

  “Do you like hot dogs?”

  The mix of relish with mustard, ketchup, and onions sent his mouth on a happy journey. And judging by Gail’s sigh as she chewed, she’d joined the ride. Their explorations up and then back down the Statue of Liberty had liberated both their appetites.

  He wiped his mouth. “I told you it would be worth the wait. Casey’s dogs are the best.”

  Gail swept a drip of ketchup from her hot dog bun and popped it into her mouth. “Okay, you win. Definitely better than anything we have in Rhode Island.”

  “That’s because we’re in the city. Central Park vendors make fast food an art.” He bit into his hot dog again.

  “You have some mustard on your mustache.” She reached out with her napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.

  Though her eyes were focused on her task, Alan still had a clear view of the dark brown band surrounding the hazel color of her eyes. The green shirt she wore brought out more of the green flecks. A waft of her rosy perfume filled his nose. He wanted to touch her hair and see if it felt as silky as it looked. He’d never been more thankful to have a messy hot dog in his hands.

  Not good, not good. He shifted on the park bench to disguise his attempt to put distance between them. “Thanks.”

  She blinked and drew her hand back. “Happy to help.” Gail took a bite of her hot dog.

  “You like to help a lot, don’t you?”

  Still chewing, she nodded then swallowed. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Just shows through. It’s nice.”

  Her smile hit full beam, bringing a delightful tilt to her eyes. Those eyes…

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, hasn’t anyone ever told you that before?”

  She sighed. “You would think that with all the money many of our friends and acquaintances have, that they’d be more interested in helping those less fortunate.”

  “But they’re not.” He stated his words as fact but lifted his brow in question.

  “No, not really.”

  He couldn’t let the wistful expression on her face pass. “What is it you want to do, Gail?”

  She shot a quick glance at him, as if waking from a dream. Her passion was eviden
t as she leaned toward him and spoke with her hands. “I want to teach English in underprivileged areas. Literature has so much to teach and show us about perseverance and serves as a powerful witness to what we, as human beings, can overcome and accomplish in our lives.” The pretty girl who was quick to laugh at his jokes had transformed into an animated teacher.

  “And even more so with faith.” He said the words before he even thought them.

  “Faith? I guess so, but that’s not what these kids need to overcome their difficult circumstances.”

  “I disagree. It’s what they need most.” He knew firsthand. Knew what had brought him and his sister, Tara, through those first dark days after losing their parents.

  “Why does it have to come back to religion?”

  “I’m not talking about religion here. I’m talking about leaning on a belief in God with the understanding that He loves us and cares what happens to us. That’s what faith is to me anyway.”

  At Gail’s silence, he realized he’d spoken with the same fervency she had.

  He glanced down at what remained of his hot dog, the angry swirl of red and yellow on the wreckage of his bun. “Seven years ago, my parents were killed in a plane crash. I was eighteen. My parents had left me in charge of my sister. Tara was only eleven at the time. Faith is what got us through it all. And each other.”

  She reached out and squeezed his wrist, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “I’m so sorry, Alan. I had no idea.”

  He covered her hand with his own. “We’re okay now. At first it was hard to accept. I kept thinking there had to be some mistake and that they’d extended their trip to celebrate their anniversary.” He laughed softly. “Tara was the one who finally made me embrace the truth with her prayers.”

  “I can’t even imagine. Who took care of you?”

  “I did. We don’t have any family. Thankfully I was old enough to take care of Tara, and I landed a job at Mr. Wolfe’s firm.”

  “Is that how you’ve managed to avoid being drafted?”

  “No, I was. Just got a deferment because of Tara. She’s eighteen now, and I’ve finished my business degree. I ship out at the end of the summer.”