The Knitter's Heartwish, page 13
Gesturing again to the end table, Reen said, “I think I’ll save the new cat hat for Lilly. Maybe for her birthday. I can make matching kitty slippers for Christmas. What do you think?”
“I think Lilly is one very lucky little girl. She’s crazy about you, you know,” Drake told her. “So’s Kev.”
“The feeling’s mutual. Your kids are terrific.” If Reen ever had children of her own, she’d want them to be just like Lilly and Kevin Slattery. Spending as much time as she did with Drake and his children sometimes gave her the sensation of family. They shared so many good times together it wasn’t difficult imagining the four of them as mom, dad, and kids.
A memory flitted across her mind and Reen smiled, recalling a midsummer day last year when Drake and his twins showed up on her doorstep, with Drake looking slightly frazzled. It seemed the kids, who’d been out of school for a week, were getting antsy. So Drake decided to give them a special treat—the joy of listening to some of his favorite opera selections.
According to Drake, during his explanation of the first act of Puccini’s La Bohème, when Mimi and Rudolfo realize they are in love and sing about it, Lilly and Kevin squirmed and got whiny. Puzzled by their reaction, Drake decided to switch to another fun activity instead, hoping they’d enjoy it better.
Reen remembered Drake telling her, “So I brought out a set of charts I thought they’d find interesting—the sort of thing I always liked as a kid. But they rolled their eyes and groaned while I explained about atoms being the building blocks of all matter, consisting of three sub-atomic particles, protons, neutrons and electrons.” Poor Drake had looked so lost and clueless with his two bored-to-tears children at his side.
It was three strikes and you’re out when Drake had confessed to Reen, “Since the kids said they don’t want to see my slides showing how archaeologists excavate a dig site using trowels, shovels, and other tools, carefully removing dirt and noting the precise location of any artifacts found,” he took a breath and scratched his head, “I’m out of ideas for fun activities. I need your help, Reen.”
“We need your help, Miss Reen!” Lilly and Kevin had echoed, their bodies sagging against Drake’s legs.
Reen was careful not to laugh at his hilarious choices for a summer afternoon of fun. The last thing she wanted to do was ridicule Drake in front of his children. Aside from his tendency to find fascination where others found endless boredom, he was a great dad and the twins adored him.
“Hmm...” Reen tapped her cheek. “I know.” Bending, she placed her hands on her knees and asked the children, “Who wants to go to the seashore to build sand castles and then get ice cream cones?” In an instant Lilly and Kevin were jumping in place shouting, “Me! Me!”
Drake’s grin was as wide as the seashore. “I can always count on you, Reen.”
The four of them had walked the few blocks hand-in-hand beneath the sunny sky with the soft ocean breeze tickling as they headed for GB Cones, the decades-old ice cream shack on the sand. They had a ball together, with Drake getting all architectural and precise with his sandcastle construction and his kids giggling as he demonstrated how to create a lasting structure...just before a small influx of water collapsed his masterpiece of building ingenuity. It was one of Reen’s favorite memories.
Thinking about how much she enjoyed Drake’s children reminded Reen of her conversation earlier with Saffron, about how she wanted to get to know Lilly and Kevin better and develop a rapport with them. If all went well, Saffron would be the one going with them to get ice cream and build castles in the sand.
And Reen was perfectly fine with that.
She was. Really.
Distracted by her wandering thoughts, she realized Drake had said something she missed.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I was asking about tonight. You’re going, right?”
“Mmm-hmm. Me and Frankie.”
Drake’s jaw muscle twitched as he gave her a hard look. “Frankie?”
“How could you forget?” Reen double-slapped her knee-high boot. “It’s short for Frankenstein, thanks to Monica’s memorable description.”
“Oh!” His jolt of laughter disturbed little Knitten, who popped his eyes open, gave a warning glare, then stretched and yawned before going back to sleep. “I remember now. Hey, would you mind helping me out with something for tonight?”
“Sure,” Reen answered without hesitation. She wondered if Drake was about to ask her questions about Saffron, which would be okay, just kind of weird. “What do you need?”
“Here, take Knitten for a minute while I go to my car.” He deposited the furry little bundle in Reen’s arms.
Hazelnut ambled over to the couch, her nose working overtime as she checked out the new kid in town. “This is Knitten,” Reen told her dog, opening the towel so Hazelnut could get a better look. “You and he are going to be good friends, isn’t that right, Knitten?” She took the cat’s little paw, shaking it gently. Hazelnut studied the kitten for a while longer before giving the tiny cat a friendly couple of licks. Knitten responded by batting Hazelnut’s head with his paw.
Doing her best Humphrey Bogart impression of Rick in Casablanca, Reen said, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Drake returned carrying clothing over his arm. “You know I’m not too savvy when it comes to putting clothes together. What do you think would work best for tonight. I want to look appropriate for a Valentine function, but not like a clown.”
“A clown?” Reen laughed. “What makes you think you’d look like a clown?”
“The hearts,” Drake explained, holding up a black tie peppered with little red hearts, white squiggles, and the word LOVE all over it in peppermint pink. It could easily win an ugly tie contest. “I’m not used to wearing novelty stuff and I don’t want to look foolish. But I don’t want to look stuffy either. So which one should I wear?” He presented three ties, the one with hearts, one with diagonal gray-toned stripes, and one with diagonal blue-toned stripes. One ugly selection and two lackluster ones.
“I’m guessing you didn’t buy the tie with the hearts,” Reen surmised.
“My mom gave it to me about ten years ago.” He gazed at the tie with affection. “I’ve never worn it but can’t get rid of it.”
“Of course.” Reen nodded, knowing Drake still grieved for his parents who died the year before. After his mother lost her battle with cancer, his father had a heart attack. “It’s a nice keepsake. I think you should keep it always. But I wouldn’t wear it unless that wide shape and print style comes back into fashion.” Drake’s late mom was a sweet, wonderful woman, whose taste in clothing bordered on carnivalesque.
“I’m planning to wear this,” he held up a jacket, “my black and gray tweed sport coat, with this white shirt and black slacks. Or maybe I should wear the light gray shirt.” He showed that to Reen too. His shoulders slumped. “It’s been a long time since I had to make decisions about what to wear to take a woman out. I’m out of practice. I want to look good, you know?”
Ahh, of course, he wanted to look good for Saffron.
So their attraction was definitely mutual.
“Yes,” Reen nodded, offering a sympathetic smile, “I know.” She decided she’d do all she could to have Drake look his best for her cousin. “First of all, lets nix the ties. Too starchy for the Fling.”
“Really?” He glanced at the trio of ties draping from his hand. “I thought the black and gray stripe was pretty cool.”
“If we were in Chicago,” she shrugged, “it might be a different story, but this is Oregon, land of the informal and laidback. Actually,” she stepped back, evaluating him from head to toe as she tapped her chin. “I’d suggest that you wear that nice soft black sweater, the V-neck one I told you I like a lot, remember?” Drake nodded. “With this white shirt underneath it, open collar. Forget the sport coat and black slacks.” She eyed him once more. His jeans looked crisp and new. And tight in all the right places. “Wear these jeans, they look great on you.”
“Jeans?” He glanced down at his legs as if forgetting what he had on. “Isn’t that too casual? I don’t want to look like a bum.”
Reen laughed at that. “Trust me, Drake, you’re not going to look like a bum or a clown. Wear what I told you and you’ll look—” Reen stopped herself before the word hot popped out of her mouth. “Perfectly appropriate for your date with Saffron.” She tacked on a friendly clothing-counselor smile. “If you think about the past Flings, that’s what guys your age usually wear.”
“This’ll be my first Fling,” Drake admitted.
“Really? I didn’t realize. Why haven’t you gone before?”
“For one thing,” shoving his hand through his hair, Drake gave an uneasy smile, “Janet never wanted to go. She thought community events like the Fling were corny and beneath her. Remember, my ex-wife was from Manhattan. That’s a good deal different from sociable Glassfloat Bay.”
Yes indeed, she remembered Janet perfectly. The woman could easily outdo Monica, Saffron, or even Saffron’s sister, Lorraine, when it came to being snooty and pretentious.
“I’ll admit most of the events are on the corny side,” Reen confessed, “but I think they’re the most fun. I love the way everybody gets into the spirit of things here. I love Chicago and miss many things about it, like the deep dish pizza, hot dogs with all the trimmings, and Italian beef sandwiches,” she licked her lips, “but a big city can’t have the charm and close-knit feel of a small town like Glassfloat Bay.”
“When I was at Cornell University—”
“In New York, where you met Janet, right?”
“Right. We were both taking classes at the College of Arts and Sciences, Anthropology for me and Medieval Studies for her, so we saw each other nearly every day. Living in New York for those few years I realized there wasn’t any comparison to Glassfloat Bay. I really missed this place.”
“While your ex couldn’t wait to leave and get back to the life she knew in New York,” Reen surmised. And away from her husband and children, she avoided verbalizing.
“Right. I only know Janet’s still in New York because she sends Lilly and Kevin a postcard from there on their birthday and another at Christmas.” Grimacing, Drake pinched his nose between his eyebrows. “Sorry, Reen, but the last thing I want to talk about right now is Janet.”
“I can’t blame you.” Taking a deep breath, she said, “Back to tonight’s Fling. It’s always fun. I’m sure you and Saffron will enjoy it. I think this is her first time going too. I know she’s really looking forward to it...to going with you.”
“I’ve got another question for you,” Drake said, looking into Reen’s eyes.
“Shoot.”
“What do you think about me and Saffron? Getting together, I mean.” His penetrating gaze didn’t waver. Reen felt like he was trying to see deep into her soul.
Needing a break from the intensity of his stare, and feeling the need to shutter her soul from scrutiny, Reen dropped her gaze and fiddled with the kitten still nestled in her lap. She had to remember she only wanted what was best for her friend and also for her cousin. This wasn’t the time for her to be juvenile or selfish, wanting to keep Drake’s attention and friendship all to herself. There’s no reason she and Drake, and his adorable kids, couldn’t maintain their solid, sociable connection if he and Saffron became a couple.
Reen reminded herself that any wild thoughts she may have had, like Drake being her Clark Kent, or him looking super-hot in his tight jeans, or about the two of them exploring a romantic relationship, were due entirely to her lack of sleep. Thinking logically wasn’t easy when she was overtired.
And this was a time when logic must prevail.
Her thoughts spun like a roulette wheel, with the little marble finally settling on the area labeled Hud. The very thought of his name brought a smile to her lips.
Now that Hud was no longer attached, Reen was free to do whatever necessary to attract his attention. After all, he was the man she’d been pining over for the past couple of years, not Drake. Right? Right! It was time for her to set her very own Project Hudson plans into motion. If she played her cards right, she and Hud Griffin could be an item before summer.
Reen looked up again. “You and Saffron have a lot in common, Drake. You’re both good people and I think you might be perfect for each other.” With a resolute nod, she finished, “That’s what I think.”
Drake’s blue-gray eyes looked like the ocean just before dusk. “I guess what I want to know, Maureen, is how do you feel about it...about me and Saffron?”
He was looking at her again in that certain way, making Reen damned nervous. Why did he have to stare at her with that solemn expression? Why did he have to make this so serious? Why the hell did he want to talk about feelings? Weren’t men supposed to have some sort of allergy when it came to talking about feelings?
“Good! I feel good,” she answered with gusto through a chummy grin. “I feel happy that you’re getting on with your life and you found a woman who’s miles better than your ex-wife. I feel you should go for it!” Reen finished with a big thumbs up gesture before picking up her phone and looking at the time.
“Well look at that, Drake,” she continued her speedy babbling, wanting to avoid giving Drake an opportunity to ask her any more uncomfortable questions. “Time’s flying. If you don’t leave now you’ll be late picking up the twins. You and Knitten better get moving!”
For some ridiculous reason, Reen felt the sting of tears approaching. How silly! There was absolutely no reason to cry. Except maybe for happy tears. Yes, that’s what they were—happy tears, brimming behind her eyes planning a salty avalanche if she wasn’t careful. She certainly couldn’t get weepy now in front Drake. Men didn’t understand happy tears. He might get the mistaken idea that Reen had feelings for him.
A curious look across his face, Drake gave his watch a quick glance. “You’re right. I better get going. Thanks for everything, Reen.” He took Knitten from her, gathered his neckties and clothing, and left.
Refusing to succumb to tears, because there was no logical reason for them, Reen waited until Drake was out of sight, then collapsed on the couch for a much-needed nap. Almost as soon as she closed her eyes, she was dreaming of sandcastles.
Chapter Eight
~<>~
THERE WAS A surprisingly good turnout at the Valentine’s Day Fling. The unusually warm, sunny day responsible for the evening’s dry, mild weather no doubt had something to do with the generous attendance.
As soon as she crossed the community center’s threshold, Reen found herself in a celebratory mood. The abundant and imaginative holiday decorations made it impossible not to smile. Wearing a favorite dress, she felt she fit in nicely, right down to her fancied-up Frankenstein boot. She’d found the long-sleeved, tomato-red jersey knit dress at the same estate sale Laila had found her genie bottle. So it had special significance to her, and perhaps even a touch of magic, she liked to believe.
With magic on her mind, Reen surreptitiously lifted her hand waist-high, turning it back and forth, admiring the heartwish ring’s attractive stone. She wondered when she’d learn what to wish for. Between the pre-dawn phone call and subsequent ring-passing, followed by Saffron’s unexpected visit and confession, the day had been chaotic. Reen was exhausted but excited at the same time.
“I’ve been looking for Kady, is she here?” Sabrina asked, joining Reen and interrupting her random musings. “I’ve seen so little of her since she’s been home from her overseas backpacking trip. Don’t tell me she’s off somewhere again.”
“The girl does love to travel.” Reen laughed. “She’s at a seminar in Seattle, learning about what it takes to be a bookstore owner.” At Sabrina’s raised eyebrows, Reen explained, “Kady’s decided to become half owner of Bubble Tide Books.”
“Wow, I had no idea! That’s great, I’m happy for her. Kady’s always loved reading.” Her gaze fell across Reen’s dress. “That shade of red is perfect for you. Love the dress’s great retro vibe.” Sabrina fingered the fabric. “So soft too. Where’d you find it?”
Her fingers sweeping over the supple fabric, Reen smiled. “I’ll give you three guesses.”
“Knowing your expertise at making sensational finds at garage sales, thrift stores, and estate sales, it’s gotta be one of those.”
“Bingo!” Reen laughed. “Estate sale up on Beauregard Hill. It had a big honkin’ set of 1980s-style shoulder pads,” she clutched at her shoulders, “that I removed. I love your outfit too,” she told Sabrina, who wore a red, white and pink striped dress. “Perfect for Valentine’s Day.”
“Thank you. Just before the babysitter came, Harry ran up to me, gave me a hug and said, ‘Ooh, Mommy, you look just like a pretty circus clown!’”
Covering her mouth, Reen laughed. “Oh dear, kids really do say the darnedest things, don’t they? Trust me, Sabrina, you most certainly do not look like a clown. Now if he’d said you look like a model, that I would believe. Even after losing all the weight, I still don’t think I’d feel confident enough to wear horizontal stripes. You, with that gorgeous slender figure of yours, pull it off beautifully.”
“Thanks, but I’ll have to stick to vertical stripes if I keep chowing down on Laila’s scones. Those things are so delicious and addictive they should come with a warning—weight gain ahead label.”
“Tell me about it.”
Gazing at the garlands of oversized valentines interspersed with puffy red satin hearts and white paper doilies strung on pink satin ribbon overhead, Reen said, “The way you and Annalise used vintage Valentine cards to decorate the community center is so imaginative. Everything looks so festive. Where did you find all the old valentines? There must be hundreds here.”
