by Ginny Baird
And yet, getting back out there, as Ellen called it, didn’t have to be such a scary proposition. Christine could take it in little, bitty, baby steps. That’s right, one thing at a time. This Christmas, maybe she’d brave a coffee date in Vermont. Next year, who knew? She might work her way up to lunch with someone. By the time Tyler was eighteen, she might even find herself ready for sleepovers… A flash of heat tore through her as she suddenly imagined herself going to bed with John. But that was a ridiculous thing to consider. Plain crazy. She wasn’t interested in anything like that right now. She’d already thought the whole thing through.
Christine gingerly guided the mouse over the e-mail link, wondering if she could really do it. She’d been raised so traditionally that she didn’t totally feel comfortable making the first move. Then again, if it was a simple move toward friendship, what was the big deal? A vision of John sweeping her into his arms raced through her mind, and she slapped her laptop shut, losing her nerve. She stood and skittishly began to pace the room. “On the one hand,” she said out loud. “It’s no harm, no foul. I just write and say, thanks again. That’s innocent enough. I don’t have to be the one to suggest going out. I’ll leave that to him. And, well… if he doesn’t, there’s nothing lost.”
Feeling her courage surge, Christine sat on the sofa again and reopened her laptop. She slapped it shut two seconds later. “On the other hand, what does that say? That I can’t get him off my mind? He’d clearly know I looked him up! What kind of woman does that? A desperate one, obviously...”
She set her laptop on a sofa cushion and strode to the bar, thinking some merlot might help. Either to grant her the wherewithal to go through with it, or realize what a cockeyed idea it was. She poured herself a glass, still musing aloud. “Then again, I am a fellow Tar Heel, and we Carolina types are always friendly with each other.” She took a long swallow, draining her glass. She was worse off than she thought. Talking to herself and swigging down wine! Something had to be done, and fast!
Christine sat back down with fire in her belly and determination in her soul. If Ellen could do this, then so could she, damn it. It wasn’t like she was proposing marriage. She was only writing to establish contact. She clicked the link and a dialogue box opened. Now, if she could just think of the perfect thing to say.
John opened his e-mail the next morning and was pleased to find a message from Christine White. “Who says it’s not an equal opportunity world?” he asked Mason, who was scarfing down his breakfast. “Hey,” he said to the dog, who just kept eating. “Hey!”
Mason stopped chomping and looked up.
“Yeah, I’m talking to you,” John said with a grin. “Guess what, buddy? I think we’ve got a date.”
Mason cocked his head sideways, waiting.
“No, I haven’t asked her yet. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to.”
John took a sip of his coffee, devising a plan. The truth was that he was inordinately happy to hear from Christine. She hadn’t said much, just Thanks again for the ‘absolutely daring’ rescue or some such, but it was what was written between the lines that counted. She’d looked him up! Had actually taken the time to track him down, despite the fact that she couldn’t be in town for more than just a few days. John reasoned there wasn’t much harm in taking her and her boy out for coffee and cocoa. Show them a bit of genuine New England hospitality. Heck, it was lonely up here in wintertime. Besides, maybe his best friend Carlos was right. Spending all his time trapped indoors with a dog was getting to him. Sooner or later, he was going to start hearing Mason talk back.
It wasn’t like John didn’t have his lady friends. But honestly, none of them were as good as Mason to talk to. It happened every time. Just when John thought things were going really well, someone had to bring up the marriage talk, that someone not being him. It wasn’t that John was opposed to marriage in theory. It was extra good for the economy, in fact. Just not for him personally at the moment, not with his big promotion coming up and his professional papers due. Maybe one day he’d settle down, but it didn’t need to be any day soon. Fortunately, that was neither here nor there. That sweet Carolina girl was only here for a little while, so there was no harm in being friendly and making a connection. All in the spirit of the General Alumni Association of course, John thought, beginning to type.
Christine sat up in bed and flipped open her laptop. Yes. There was a message from John Steadman! Coffee and cocoa this afternoon? I know a place that you and Tyler might enjoy.
Christine grinned broadly and quickly typed back Yes.
“Yes, yes, yes!” she hollered, merrily kicking her feet under the covers. He’d done it. The handsome professor hottie had actually gone and done it! Asked Christine and Tyler out on a date! Okay, so maybe it wasn’t a date, technically. An outing then, yes. That’s what it was, an outing. Just the three of them. Four, counting Mason. She was sure that he would come along. Tyler was bound to love that. “Yes!”
Christine brought her hands to her flaming cheeks as Tyler pressed his way in the room. “Mommy?” he asked groggily. “What is it? Is it time to get up?”
“I’m sorry if I woke you, honey. I was just making plans. How does having cocoa with John sound?”
He looked at her uncertainly. “It sounds all right.”
Christine deposited her computer on the floor. “Come here, you,” she said, giving her little boy and his teddy a hug. She was still grinning in spite of herself, as gleeful and nervous as a teenager.
Tyler peered up at her with big, dark eyes. “Are you happy, Mommy?”
She pulled him up onto the bed and nestled him firmly in her arms. “Yeah, I suppose I am.”
“I like it when you’re happy,” he said, snuggling up against her. “You’re not like that much.”
The simple declaration hit her like a sucker punch. “Oh baby, I’m so sorry,” she said, hearing her voice crack. “Sorry that Mommy’s been such a crank.”
“It’s not your fault,” his little voice said.
“What do you mean?”
“I know you need friends too.”
She jostled him in her arms.
“I’ve got Auntie Ellen.”
“That’s not enough.”
“No?”
“Billy’s mommy has a friend.”
“Oh?”
“Sometimes he sleeps over.”
Christine swallowed hard. “We don’t need to worry about that.”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
“But Mommy would. She’s… I’m… not ready.”
“Well, I think John’s nice. Even if he’s not an angel.”
“I bet you like Mason too,” she said, kissing him on the head.
Tyler grinned. “I like Mason best!”
Chapter Six
Christine, Tyler, and John sat in the small café housed in a country cottage. A real wood fire blazed in the fireplace nearby, its mantel crowned with Christmas decorations. A sign on the opposite wall read Kiddy Korner. Below it children played with old style blocks, puzzles, and a handcrafted circus train, stocked with various animals. Tyler set down his hot chocolate and pointed across the room.
“Can I go over there?”
Christine dabbed his upper lip with a napkin. “Sure baby, go right ahead.” She turned to John. “This place is great.”
He grinned at her, blue eyes crinkling. “I thought you and Tyler might like it.” At his feet, Mason lazily lifted his head. John patted him lightly and he went back to sleep.
“You’re pretty good with kids,” Christine told him. “Got any of your own?”
“Me? Oh no. I mean, not yet. Never married. I’ve got two nieces and a nephew, though.”
“Are they close by?”
“I wish, but no. They’re with their mom in Baltimore. That’s where I grew up.”
He shifted awkwardly. “And you and Tyler? Are you all on your own in Chicago? Any family there?”
“It’s just the two of us,” she said. “M
y husband, Dan, Tyler’s dad, passed away a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry, Christine. I had no—”
“It’s all right. It’s good for me to talk about it.”
“Was it an illness?” he asked tentatively.
“Afghanistan.”
John was quiet a moment. When he spoke his voice was tinged with compassion. “Things must be hard, getting by on your own with a young son.”
“Ty and I manage,” she said, sounding braver than she felt. The truth was that she hadn’t been managing well at all lately.
“You seem to do a great job…” His lips creased in a subtle smile. “…except for when you’re driving in snowstorms.”
“Hey!” she cried in mock offense, but secretly she appreciated his effort to lighten the moment. Mason awakened, startled by her shout of surprise. John slipped him biscotti under the table to quell his interest. The dog took it and gnawed contentedly.
“So tell me,” John said, changing the subject. “What do you do in Chicago?”
“I’m a copywriter for a major greeting card company.”
“That sounds interesting.”
“Not as interesting as I’d like.”
“What do you mean?”
“I basically write the words, but it’s always been my dream to illustrate too. You know, develop my own line—soup to nuts.”
“Why not go for it?”
“It’s not as easy as all that,” she said with a frown. “Company politics.”
“So? Start your own company.”
“What?”
“What’s stopping you?” John leaned forward with his challenge.
Christine sat back. “Oh, about a million things. First, I’d have to raise the capital, find investors. I couldn’t front even a small operation like that on my own. Then, I’d need to locate a printer, contract distributors…”
“None of that sounds impossible.”
“Impossible, no. It’s just nothing I’ve ever considered.”
“With the Internet these days, there are bound to be new opportunities.”
“Sure.”
John took a slow sip of coffee, surveying her over the rim of his cup. After a beat, he surprised her by raising his cup to hers. “The future is long,” he said with an enigmatic smile.
“Yes. Yes, it is,” she answered thoughtfully. “Very long indeed.”
She returned his toast, mulling over his proposition. I mean, it would be a really big dream. Totally cool, she thought. Just no way could it happen now. Maybe someday, when things were more settled…
Their eyes locked for a moment and Christine’s cheeks flamed. All John had to do was look at her and old embers leapt into brushfires, igniting sensations all over her body. Christine hadn’t felt those smoldering sensations in quite a while. In fact, she hadn’t been sure they still existed. But they did and here they were, raging out of control. So much so that Christine nabbed some ice from her water glass and dumped it in her coffee. Drinking something hot at the moment seemed positively contrary when Christine clearly needed to cool down.
John swallowed hard and followed suit, likewise chilling his java. “It is a little warm in here,” he said, his face coloring as well. She couldn’t tell if it was from the warmth of the fire or from the way that she’d looked at him. In any case, his chiseled face was exceptionally handsome in the subtle glow.
He studied their water glasses, then stumbled slightly with the words. “In present day, we seem to be all out of ice. Should I get us some more?”
“That would be great, thanks.”
When John returned, the conversation turned to something thankfully less personal, the topics of courses he taught at the business school. While Christine wasn’t familiar with all the nuances, it was refreshing to talk to someone so enthusiastic about his work. Before she knew it, two hours had flown by and they were standing at the door ready to make their departure. Christine had nearly forgotten how good it felt to talk comfortably with a man. Maybe there’d been a few peaks and valleys during their dialogue, but overall they’d gotten on reasonably well. So well, in fact, that she couldn’t help but feel slightly depressed that the outing was over.
“Come on, Ty,” she told her son as he said good-bye to his newfound friends. “Let’s get on your hat and gloves. It’s awfully cold outside.” Mason watched them with ears drooping, not wanting them to go.
“I’m really glad that you could make it,” John said, helping Christine on with her coat.
“Thanks for asking us,” she said, holding his gaze.
Just then, a middle-aged man barreled through the door carrying a blast of frigid air with him. Mason excitedly bounded for him, covering him with doggie kisses.
“Mason, down!” John said. This time Christine was sure he’d flushed red, from his neck to the tips of his ears. The dog slunk to the floor, looking embarrassed.
“Don’t be so hard on the pooch,” the man said. “Some days it’s the only loving I get!” He unwrapped his broad scarf, exposing a handsome older face and a graying beard. He shot John a merry grin.
“Steadman! How’s it going? Surviving sabbatical?”
John affectionately pumped his hand. “Good to see you, Carlos.”
Carlos sent a quick glance at Tyler then gave Christine an appreciative once-over.
“Hello…” he said to Christine, his voice lilting with a light Spanish accent. “And you must be?”
“Christine White,” she said, extending her hand.
“Carlos Dominguez. It’s a pleasure.” He turned his gaze on Ty. “And you, young man?”
John smiled. “This is Christine’s son, Tyler.”
Carlos eyed them all, apparently pleased with the situation.
“Well, well… Isn’t this delightful? Where are you two from?”
“We’re here from Chicago,” Christine said.
“It’s a permanent move, I hope?”
“Just a vacation,” she told him.
“I didn’t think my colleague had that much luck.”
“Weren’t you on your way somewhere?” John asked Carlos, clearly trying to get rid of him.
“Fine, fine,” Carlos said, shaking his head. “I can see when I’m not wanted.” He smiled warmly at Christine before taking his leave. “Christine, hope to have the opportunity again.”
“I’ll bet you do, you old dog,” John said under his breath. Mason nuzzled his hand, but John waved him away.
“He seemed nice,” Christine said as Carlos made his way to the coffee bar and ordered.
“We’ve been friends for a long time. Knew him down in New Orleans, in fact.”
“At Tulane?” Christine queried before she could stop herself.
John dissected her with piercing blue eyes and her cheeks caught fire. Now he’d know she’d been stalking him. Not only had she looked up his e-mail address, she’d practically memorized his bio!
John cocked his head sideways and studied her with amazement. “That’s right.”
Christine slid on her gloves, anxious to extract herself from the humiliating moment. “Tyler and I should head back.”
“That’s not a bad thought,” John said, peering out the door beside them. “It’s starting to flurry out there.”
“Does it ever stop snowing in Vermont?” Christine asked with a laugh.
“A few months out of the year,” he answered.
Christine finished bundling up Tyler and pulled on her winter hat.
“You know,” John said. “The snow may be a pain for driving, but it makes for awfully good sledding.”
“Sledding? Yahoo!” Tyler crowed, springing up and down.
Christine stared at John, her heart hopeful. Oh to be in a winter wonderland with this handsome man, gliding down snow-covered hills. Christine brought her hand to her mouth, hoping she’d just thought that, not said it. By the way John’s eyes crinkled at the corners, she wasn’t sure.
“I was thinking,” he said as a smile spread
across his lips, “that maybe the three of us could go for a ride?”
“He knows where all the best hills are!” Carlos shouted from across the room.
Christine turned, to spy Carlos seated in the corner, apparently eavesdropping from behind his splayed newspaper.
John spouted back, feigning irritation. “Could you mind your own business for one fraction of a second… please?”
Carlos shrugged and rattled his paper, making Christine giggle out loud. Tyler stared up at her with joy in his eyes. “Can we Mommy? Puhleeze?”
John met her gaze and said firmly, “I do know where all the best hills are.”
“Sledding sounds great,” Christine said with a happy grin. “Only I don’t think there’s a sled at the house.”
“No worries. I’ll supply one. Where are you staying?”
“Winterhaven. Do you know it?”
“Know it?” John lowered his voice. “Carlos used to date the woman who lives there.”
“Oh,” Christine whispered back, intrigued. “What happened?”
“She’s a very nice person,” John replied quietly. “Just didn’t share Carlos’s sense of… adventure.”
Christine’s cell rang, startling her out of the moment.
“I’m sorry,” she told John. She checked and saw the call was from Ellen. “I think I’d better take this.”
“I hope you’re having half as much fun as I am,” Ellen chirped. Her voice wavered, almost as if it were windblown. “I’m about to go airborne!”
“What?” Christine shrieked, before getting herself under control and turning politely away from John and the other interested coffee patrons. She found herself facing Carlos, who pointedly lowered his paper. “Ellen, what on earth is going on?”
“Parasailing, Christine. My gorgeous man Emilio and I are setting our sights for the sun!”
“Be careful. That sounds dangerous.”
“Dangerous, ha! It’s a blast! This is our second time up!”