CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

As Didi scanned the crowd, a spiky-haired strawberry blonde entered the Chancel Cafe. The lively young woman sported slim black pants and a striking red blazer that played up the highlights in her hair. Red jacket. Short blonde hair. It had to be Jake’s sister, Lori.

Standing up, Didi motioned Lori over to the table she’d scored by a stained-glass window. Lori squealed with delight and dashed across the room.

Enfolding Didi in a big hug, Lori squealed a second time—this time in Didi’s ear. “I’m so glad to meet you. Jake’s a different man since he met you.”

Were those tears glistening in Lori’s eyes? She was an expressive woman, and evidently, her brother meant the world to her.

“Well, I can honestly say that I’m a new woman since I met your brother. And believe me, that’s a good thing.”

Lori pulled up a chair, and they looked over the menu. After ordering dinner from a pleasant waitress, Didi told the story of how she’d first met Jake. By the time their dinners had arrived, they’d progressed to the disastrous first date. Didi divulged the messy details of the red wine incident, and they both enjoyed a good laugh.

“We haven’t been back to Ramino’s since, although I’m sure we will.” Didi spread cocktail sauce on her crab cake sandwich and chewed on a sweet potato fry. “I’d love to keep the discussion going on my love life, but we’re really here to delve into yours. So much more interesting, I’m sure—at least according to Jake. I have a list of questions to ask for the article on breakups.”

“Hmm.” Lori tapped her chin. “Now I’m wondering what my dear brother has told you. But to save you time, I have several typewritten pages all ready for you.” Lori handed Didi a sheaf of papers. Smiling, Lori swallowed a heaping spoonful of her chicken tortilla soup and crunched on a taro chip. “Jake says I’m an overachiever. I can’t do anything halfway.”

Didi skimmed the pages. “Wow, there’s a slew of information here. It looks as though you’ve practically done my job for me. Jake said to make sure I asked you about someone named Mason. Apparently, he was a lulu.”

Lori slapped the tabletop, rattling the dishes. “He was all that and more. Mason didn’t break up with me in person. He didn’t break up with me over the phone. He had a dim-witted, inarticulate friend of his call me up to break the news. It was so pathetic it made me laugh. Thank goodness, I wasn’t that into him or it might have been painful.”

Lori continued to talk in upbeat, musical tones. Didi listened, enrapt, making notes and writing fast.

At the end of an hour, Didi had enough facts to fill two articles. She could see why men were attracted to Lori, like puppies drawn to a squeaky toy. Red was her signature color, and she was pixie-cute, spirited, and full of life. Her new friend’s sunny disposition would always draw a crowd.

They pushed what was left of their dinners aside, and Lori got up to use the powder room, threading her way through the crowd. The restaurant was a great deal busier than the last time Didi had been there. Apparently, word had spread about the superior coffee, appetizing food, and peaceful ambiance.

Didi checked out the latest additions to the decor. Tucked into the corners were kiosks of interesting items for sale. Artfully arranged in the back was a display of small soaps, lotions, and creams. In the front corners, a selection of cards, gift books, and jewelry was stacked on iron baker’s racks. Front and center, a round, antique mahogany table exhibited books for sale written by local authors.

Didi’s mother’s birthday was fast approaching. In fact, there was a party scheduled for this Saturday night with her mom’s friends from the flower shop. Maybe this would be a good place to pick up a unique gift.

After a quick search, Didi discovered a comprehensive book on orchids—complete with full-color pictures—and a crystal necklace in a delicate shade of purple. Her mom would love them both. She paid for her purchases and was in her seat when Lori returned.

Lori slapped down a generous tip and smiled at Didi. “I was thinking. It’s only a little after seven. Want to make this a progressive dinner and get dessert somewhere else? I know a great place, and it’s not too far away.”

“I’d love to. What’s the name of the place?”

“Higher Ground.”

“Where Drew works?” Didi had wanted to check out the coffee shop. “Sounds great. And speaking of Drew, do you know how the twins are doing?”

Lori put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, yeah. I completely forgot you and Jake were with Donna and Drew when the babies were born.” She tilted her head and looked at Didi intently. “But what I mostly want to know is how in the world did you ever get Jake into a hospital?”

“What do you mean, exactly? I heard what happened with Randy, so I think I understand some of the story, but maybe not all of it.” Her curiosity rose to new heights.

“I guess you wouldn’t know, would you?” Lori picked up her purse and jacket. “Why don’t we continue our nattering over dessert? I’ll tell you all about it at our next stop.”

“Okay.” Intrigued, Didi led the way out to the parking lot and followed Lori to Higher Ground. Downtown Frederick could be hopping even on weekdays, but they managed to find good parking spaces nearby. Lori waited for Didi at the door, and they sauntered in together.

Moving to the display case, Lori perused the desserts. “Got anything made by Donna Boyle?” She eyed the woman behind the counter.

“All of her goodies are sold out. As you can see, we’re short on sweets right now, but we do have some nice donuts and pastries.”

“They look like they came from the grocery store,” Lori whispered to Didi. She turned back to the barista. “I’ll take a piece of the baklava and a large vanilla latte. Oh, and make sure the latte’s extra hot, okay?”

Didi grinned at Jake’s sister. Lori was a take charge kind of woman. Didi stepped up to the counter. “I’ll have the same, but normal temperature on the latte, please.”

They found two inviting armchairs near the back of the shop and dropped onto the overstuffed upholstery. Didi slipped off her shoes, crossed her legs, and made herself comfortable. The fireplace and warm lighting added to the cozy setting, and contemporary Christian music played in the background. Didi caught the last few notes of Third Day’s latest hit and closed her eyes as the song drew to a close. She liked this place. It nourished her stomach and her soul.

Without preamble, Lori crossed her ankles and plunged in. “I stopped by the hospital last night and saw Donna. She and the boys are doing great. Thank goodness, the twins don’t seem to have any major problems, much to Donna and Drew’s relief, especially since they’re preemies.”

“Wonderful. When does Donna get to go home?”

“We hope tomorrow. Both boys have to stay a while longer to monitor their blood sugar. I told Donna I was seeing you tonight, and she asked me to thank you for all you did that night. She apologizes for inviting you over, making you do all the work, and then leaving you hungry.” Lori giggled. “She promised to have you over again soon. Now, back to the subject at hand. How in the heck did you get Jake to set foot in a hospital?”

“I didn’t know there was a trick to it. He did seem a bit freaked out, though.” The strange night at Frederick General flickered back into Didi’s mind. “Okay, to tell you the truth, he seemed a lot freaked out.”

The barista shouted that their coffees and desserts were ready, and Didi and Lori picked up their orders.

“So, what’s up with Jake?” Still confused, Didi tipped her cup and sipped with caution just in case she’d been handed Lori’s latte by mistake.

“Before we plunge into the deep end, you’re serious about my brother, right?” Lori searched her face. “I mean, he’s head over heels when it comes to you, so I’m hoping it’s mutual.”

Heat flushed her cheeks. “I am. I mean, yes. Serious, that is.” She might as well confess. “Lori, I know I haven’t known your brother very long, but I’m in love with him. He’s wonderful.”

“Well, he’s not always Mr. Wonderful, but as Prince Charmings go, he’s a pretty sweet guy. Anyway, since that’s the case, I’ll tell you.” Lori nibbled on the baklava and licked the honey off her fingers. “What do you know concerning Victoria?”

“Not a lot. I know she and Jake were engaged, and she died in a car crash a little over a year ago.”

“Did he tell you anything about the accident?”

“No, not really. What happened?” Didi placed her coffee cup on a side table and directed her full attention on Lori.

“It was a couple of days before Valentine’s Day, and for some reason, Victoria decided it was the perfect time to leave town. She did that sometimes. Her family’s well off, and her mom gave her a cabin at Deep Creek Lake. Victoria went there.”

“Gave her a cabin? In Deep Creek? That’s an exclusive resort area.”

“Yeah, it is. It was sort of an early wedding and Christmas present combined.”

“Generous.” Didi hesitated. “But isn’t that a strange time to go on vacation? And it was her mom’s cabin? What happened to her dad?”

“Victoria grew up in Potomac, down the road from a couple of Senators, but her parents divorced years ago. Her dad took off for the rock-bound coast of Maine, and her mom went in the opposite direction. She lives in San Diego.”

“They couldn’t have gotten much farther apart if they’d tried, huh? That is, unless they left the country.” Didi figured the divorce had been less than civil.

“Right you are. Mrs. Selby came from old money, but she’s a smart lady—some kind of famous biochemist, I think. Not a lot of people skills, if you know what I mean. As far as I know, Victoria’s dad still works as a columnist for the Washington Post. Sort of a free spirit, so I imagine he’s happy in Maine. According to Jake, the marriage was never good.”

Didi crunched down on the sweetened walnuts in her dessert. “Any brothers and sisters?”

“One older sister, Cynthia, who lives in New York City. She’s a high-powered financial analyst on Wall Street. I met her once. She was so talkative and overbearing she made me flinch. Totally the opposite of Victoria. It took work to have a meaningful conversation with Victoria.”

“Didn’t you like her? Victoria, I mean.”

“Well…yeah, I guess I liked her, or at least I did toward the end. She was so quiet she was hard to get to know.” Lori released a sigh and grew silent. She sipped her coffee and gazed into the distance. After a time, she resumed her story. “Jake never did find out how the car crash happened, but Victoria ended up DOA at Western Maryland Hospital. The paramedics found her purse and got Jake’s phone number.”

“She was already gone when they called him? How sad for him. He didn’t get to say goodbye.” Didi’s eyes misted. How devastating must that have been for Jake?

“It was awful, but that’s not the worst part. It was after midnight when a local resident found her, and since Victoria’s family lived so far way, the hospital asked Jake to come identify the body.”

“Oh, my.” Didi’s stomach twisted. “That has to be at least a three-hour drive. And with Jake in such anguish? Don’t tell me he drove all that way by himself?”

“Of course he went alone. That’s Jake. I wish to God he’d called me to go with him. He drove up there, identified her body, and came home the same night. He told me what had happened the next day. I’ve never seen a man so filled with grief.” Lori choked back tears. “He told me…he told me she was…so mangled that at first, he wasn’t sure it was her. Then he saw his engagement ring on her finger. That was when he knew.”

Didi dug through her purse and handed Lori a tissue. Then she used one to wipe her own tears away. Her heart ached for the man who had cared so deeply. Now she loved Jake even more. To have gone through something so horrendous and to have dared to love again made Jake a very brave man indeed.

With quivering lips, Lori went on. “Ever since then, Jake’s stayed far away from anything resembling a hospital. He’s always been softhearted, and he hates seeing anyone in pain, but the thought of that night makes everything come rushing back.”

“No wonder. I guess he was able to manage it this time for Drew’s sake. Still, he looked troubled from the moment we made it to the ER. Now I know why.” Between Randy and Victoria…

Lori slanted her head and shot Didi a long, appraising look. “I hope I’ve done the right thing by telling you all of this, but you’re the first girl he’s dated since then, and he’s crazy about you. I think he’s been afraid to love someone.”

Didi’s heart melted. She jumped out of her chair and hugged Jake’s dear sister. “I’ll be careful with him, Lori. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Good. Now that we have that sorted out, I have an idea. Do you know how to make brownies?”