The Unexpected Wedding(23)
They strolled back to Becky Lee’s house, mostly in silence. A few people passed them on the street and Becky Lee said hi to most of them by name. He found it comforting in a way, instead of disconcerting, that everyone seemed to know almost everyone else. He was used to the anonymity of big cities. A small town where a person could feel they belonged and they were a part of it? That feeling was different and yet a bit appealing to him. He’d spent so many years traveling from town to town, job to job. But that’s what he liked, right? No strings and the ability to just pick up and go. No one’s expectations to live up to. He’d thrived on that the last few years. Thrived on seeing the country, moving every few months, heading out whenever and to wherever he chose.
He turned to Becky Lee. “Do you like living here in Comfort Crossing?”
She wrinkled her brow. “I do. A lot. I grew up here and it’s home to me. I don’t really have a desire to move somewhere else. I like knowing most of the people. My best friends live here. I just… like it.”
“It all seems a bit foreign to me. Like even more foreign than when I traveled the world. Every city I traveled to in the world, I could just get lost in it. I could be anonymous, unnoticed. I imagine that’s hard to do here.”
“Nigh on impossible to be unnoticed here. Everyone is kind of up in everyone else’s business, but usually not in a mean way. Well, except for maybe Camille.” Becky Lee laughed.
They reached Becky Lee’s house and stepped onto the front porch. She stopped and leaned against the railing. “I was wondering. There’s an ice cream social at the town park tomorrow. Do you think Scotty might like to go to that?”
“I’m pretty sure he’s never been to a town ice cream social—and neither have I—so I think we should put that on our calendar for tomorrow.”
“How about I meet you there about two?” Becky Lee looked up at him.
The moonlight shone down on Becky Lee, illuminating her blonde hair with streaks of magical light. For one brief moment, he wanted to lean down and kiss those lips of hers. But no one was around to give him the excuse. That didn’t stop him from wanting to kiss her though.
Things were getting even more complicated.
He cleared his throat and commanded his gaze to move away from her lips. “Yes. Two o’clock. That sounds fine.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Cal looked around the park the next afternoon. Maybe they should have come up with a specific place to meet. The park was crowded with people milling about, kids and adults eating ice cream cones, a group of teenagers playing volleyball, mothers and fathers pushing kids on swings.
It looked like a scene from a romantic movie that guaranteed a happy ending.
But he and Scotty knew better than most that happy endings were never guaranteed.
They walked into the shade under a large live oak. The sun was relentless today.
“Hey look, there’s Josh. Can I go play with him?” Scotty danced in front of Cal.
“Okay, but don’t leave the park.” Cal was unsure, again, if he was making the right decision. Do you let boys run around a park in a small town? Surely it was safe, right? He raked his fingers through his hair in indecision, second guessing himself.
Just then Becky Lee appeared at his side. “Did you get some ice cream yet?” Her smiled dazzled him.
No, it didn’t.
“Ah, no. I haven’t yet.”
Becky Lee tugged on his hand. “Well, let’s go get a cone. My favorite is butter pecan. What’s yours?”
“I’m a purest. Vanilla. Always.”
“Well, you’re a strange one Cal Gray, but we’ll get you plain vanilla if you insist.”
They ate their cones, then wandered over to check on Scotty. He was kicking a soccer ball around with a handful of other boys, covered in streaks of dusty dirt, and having a great time.
“We’re going to walk around some more. We’ll come back in a bit,” Cal called out to Scotty.
The boy grinned, waved, and raced off with Louie barking and chasing after him.
“Next thing you know, he’s going to be asking for a dog.” Becky Lee laughed.
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’m proud that I’ve managed to keep up with Scotty. To be honest, I don’t really keep up with him… it’s more like we’re surviving. He’s a handful.”
“Little boys are.”
Cal couldn’t help but see a wistful look flash across Becky Lee’s face, but it was quickly tucked behind a smile.
“Hey, look. There’s Camille over across the park. I think she’s watching us.” Cal tilted his head towards where he spied her. “How about we give her something to talk about?” With that, he leaned down and pressed a kiss against Becky Lee’s surprised lips. She startled, then kissed him back tentatively.