Take a Chance on Me(30)
She ran her hand across her cheek, dispelled the moisture there. Foolish maybes. She would harbor no such what-ifs for Darek.
So what that he had those amazing eyes that turned all soft and sweet when he looked at his son. And that more than once she’d let herself wonder what it might feel like to step into those arms, thick with hardworking muscle. She too well remembered the tangy scent of the night when they parked on the overlook, and she simply couldn’t erase the way he’d soothed Tiger’s fears in the ER with soft, tender tones, or the way he’d taken the little boy onto his lap to read to him.
Or even today, watching his son as he’d recited the book back to Ivy in the grocery store. Pride amid all that affection.
She could be in big trouble if she didn’t stop this nonsense before it even started. Tiger was sure to get hurt if Darek decided he wanted to keep redeeming himself.
No, despite his sudden turn away from the dark and crabby side to a man she might actually enjoy, she’d seen his shadows—and not only on their date, but today, when wrestling with his son over cereal. Didn’t he know you never fought a battle over food with a child?
Maybe he didn’t. Maybe he was just trying to figure it out, trying to be both mother and father. But—oh no. She stopped, wincing. He didn’t ask her out for her parenting skills, did he?
This could only be a very bad idea.
She rounded her corner, where the Footstep of Heaven Bookstore and Coffee Shop sat, facing the lake. The hostas had grown up along the walk, the smell of roses fragrancing the air. The light above the porch buzzed with suicidal moths.
Under it, in a pool of wan light, sat her neighbor, the young woman who lived in the apartment above the shop.
“Claire?” Ivy said as she opened the gate. “Are you okay?”
Claire sat on the front steps, arms around her legs, staring out at the lake. Ivy would have continued on the path around to the back, but Claire looked so miserable that she stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
Claire finally glanced at her. “Sorry—yes. I’m okay. I just got back from Duluth.”
“I noticed your place looked pretty dark the past week or so. Were you on vacation?”
Claire gave a harsh laugh. “No. I wish. My grandfather drove his four-wheeler headfirst into a tree a couple weeks ago. Our neighbor up at the lake found him.” She made a face then and picked up her cell phone. Sighed and put it down. “They transferred him to Duluth for surgery, then moved him back up to the Deep Haven hospital today.”
“Are you expecting a call?”
“My parents, checking up on Grandpop. They’re worried. They sent me an e-mail and asked me to be available tonight. I get better cell service out here and besides, the night is so beautiful, isn’t it?”
Ivy didn’t have to look to nod in agreement.
“I used to live in rural Bosnia and there were nights, sitting outside my parents’ clinic, when the sky looked close enough to touch. It’s the only time I really miss it.”
“You grew up in Bosnia?”
“Only until I was fourteen; then I moved to Deep Haven. My parents are missionary doctors.”
“Wow. When did they go back?”
Claire glanced at her. “Oh, they stayed there. I lived with my grandparents. They raised me through my high school years. I visited Bosnia when I was fifteen for a couple weeks, but . . .” Her voice trailed off, and Ivy didn’t chase the thought. “My parents came home every four years and sometimes for Christmas. We e-mail and Skype, but they’re busy, important people. Doctors—did I mention that?”
“Yes,” Ivy said. “That’s amazing.”
“What, that I have such talented parents, or that they have such a waste of a daughter?”
Huh? Ivy had no words for that. She just frowned at Claire.
“I’m sorry. I know you don’t really know me.” Claire forced a kind of smile. “I work at Pierre’s Pizza. And two weeks ago, my boss told me that if I didn’t take the manager position, he’d probably have to cut my hours.” She looked at the phone again. “I’m twenty-five years old and all I have to show for it are my fabulous pizza-making abilities.”
“Some people would love to be able to make a fabulous pizza. Or eat a fabulous pizza.” Her stomach growled at the suggestion.
Claire smiled. “You’re really nice. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just in a bad mood. I hate when they call. They always ask me if I’ve applied for colleges or what my plans are. I feel like an idiot.” She looked up at Ivy. “It’s a terrible thing not to have any plans.”
Ivy set her briefcase on the step, climbed up to sit beside Claire. Thought through her life. Yes, maybe. She hadn’t ever lived without some idea of her next step. Until she arrived in Deep Haven, her destination.