I lie here thinking of you.
—William Carlos Williams
Theo lay facedown on a blanket, savoring the heat of the sun on his bare back. He had spent the past half hour swimming with Christian, Brandon and Noelle. All had learned to swim, but of the three Noelle had been the first.
Christian put Brandon in a headlock before he released him and swam back to the beach. His chest rose and fell heavily as he sat down next to Theo. “Are you going back in?”
Theo shook his head, his gaze narrowing behind the lenses of his sunglasses. “Not today.” He was exhausted after spending the night tossing restlessly, his mind filled with images of Hope.
Moving closer, Christian peered at him. “Are you all right, Big Brother?”
“Sure.”
“You said that a little too quickly.”
Theo smiled. “Why would you say that?”
“You haven’t been yourself all week.”
“Explain yourself, Little Brother.”
Stretching out his legs, Christian leaned back on his elbows. “Brandon, Noelle and I have been talking.”
Theo gave Christian a quick glance. “What about?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
“Well…” His words trailed off.
Rolling over, Theo sat up. “Come on, Chris, spit it out.”
“Well,” he repeated, “we were talking about you and Miss Hope.”
Theo went completely still. Was he that obvious? Had everyone noticed how he hadn’t been able to take his gaze off her after they’d sat down to eat dessert late Sunday afternoon?
“What about me and Miss Hope?”
Christian flashed a wide grin. “You two look good together. Noelle told us that you had your arm around her when we came back from the movies. She also said you were going to ask her to be your sweetheart.”
“Noelle talks too much.”
“Did you ask her?” Christian asked after a moment of silence.
“Ask her what?”
“If she wanted to be with you.”
“Is that the same as asking someone to be your girlfriend?”
Christian bobbed his head. “Yeah!”
“No.” Theo’s expression was deadpan.
“Why not, Theo?”
“Because it’s not like that. I invited her to dinner and she came. And, that’s it.”
“If I was older I’d ask her out.”
“Are you saying I should ask her out?”
“Hell, yeah!”
“What is it you like about her?”
Christian lifted his shoulders. “Everything. She’s pretty and she can cook. That strawberry shortcake she made was mad good.”
“You’re right about the cake. It was working.”
“Are you going to ask her out?”
Theo stared at Christian. In just two weeks the sun had darkened his skin several shades even though he had put on sunblock. “Why the sudden interest with me and Hope getting together?”
“You could use a little fun. All you do is write.”
“I enjoy writing.”
“There’s got to be more than just you writing.”
“Where are you going with this, Chris?”
“We talked—”
“We?” Theo cut him off.
“Brandon, Noelle and me. We think it’s pretty cool that you brought us here. Well… we think it’s pretty cool that you took us in after Momma and Dad died. You didn’t have to do it.”
“I promised your mother I would.”
“You didn’t have to keep the promise. We wouldn’t be the first kids to go into foster homes.”
“That would’ve never happened.”
“I’m not saying it couldn’t happen. You gave up a lot for us. I’ve realized that since coming to McKinnon.”
“What else have you learned, wise little grasshopper?”
“Be serious, Theo.”
He sobered. “Okay, Chris.”
“You’re a good brother, and you deserve to have a woman and some kids.”
“I’m not looking for a wife and kids.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want a wife and I don’t need kids.”
“What’s going to happen when you’re mad old?”
“I can’t think about that until I’m ‘mad’ old.”
“Come on, Theo.”
Theo’s expression changed as he stared at his brother. “I am serious.”
Christian returned the glare, then pushed to his feet, mumbling under his breath. He walked several feet, stopped, but did not turn around. “You’re just like Momma.”
Theo turned his attention back to the two in the water, Christian’s words echoing in his head. There was no mistaking his frustration.
Pushing to his feet, Theo walked down to the water and dove under an incoming wave. He swam until he tired. By the time he returned to the beach, Noelle and Brandon had disappeared. It was when he stood under the spray of the shower that he decided to take Christian’s advice. He would ask Hope to go out with him.
“Did you talk to him?”
Christian saw the expectant look on Noelle’s face. She’d convinced him to talk to Theo even though he hadn’t wanted to do it. “Yes.”
“What did he say?” Brandon asked. He took off his glasses and wiped the lenses on the hem of his T-shirt.
“He said he was going to call her.”
Noelle frowned at Christian. “I don’t believe him.”
Brandon put his glasses back on. “Why are you guys so revved up on hooking Theo up with Miss Hope? If he wanted to go out with her, he would’ve done it already.”
“Wrong,” Christian spat. “I’m with Noelle. I don’t think he’s going to do anything.”
Noelle leaned closer to her brothers. “Which means we’re going to have to do something.” Christian nodded, while Brandon shook his head. “We can get Miss Helen to help us.”
“How?” the two boys said in unison.
Pulling back her narrow shoulders, she pursed her lips. “Let me handle this.”
“He’s going to have a cow if he finds out that we’re plotting behind his back,” Brandon warned.
“If he goes ballistic, then I’ll say it was all my idea,” Noelle said. “Wait here, and I’ll be back.”
Christian and Brandon stared at each other as their sister walked out of the family room, hoping their plan to hook their brother up with Hope Sutton would not backfire.
Noelle found Helen in the kitchen slicing cucumbers. “Miss Helen, do you mind if we have company for dinner tomorrow?”
Helen’s bright blue eyes crinkled in a smile. “Of course not. Who did you want to invite?”
“Miss Hope.”
Her smile vanished quickly. “Did you ask Theo?”
Noelle chewed on her lower lip. “I didn’t think we had to ask him. Because didn’t you say if she comes again she won’t be a guest?”
“Yes, I did.” Helen’s expression brightened. “Invite her. If Theo says anything, then I’ll tell him I wanted her to come.”
Noelle hugged Helen, then kissed her cheek. “Thanks.”
She raced out of the kitchen and returned to the family room. “It’s on!” Her eyes glittered like polished onyx. “Chris, I need you to drive me over to Miss Hope’s house.”
Brandon crossed his arms over his chest. “If this mission blows up, then I’m going to disavow any knowledge.”
Christian pushed to his feet. “Punk!”
“Yeah, I’d rather be a punk than have Theo in my face.”
“Our big brother has gone soft,” Christian stated with a newfound bravado. “All he’s interested in is finishing his scripts.”
“Let him finish the scripts before we push a woman in his face,” Brandon argued softly.
“Chris, I’m waiting,” Noelle whined.
They walked out of the house and stopped. The Lexus was missing. That meant Theo had taken it.
Christian stared at his sister. “What do you want to do?”
“Do you want to walk?”
“How far?”
“Not too far. Let’s ask Brandon if he wants to come with us.”
Puffing out his cheeks, Christian blew out his breath. “Okay.”
Hope walked into the McKinnon Island post office. Her eyes narrowed behind the lenses of her sunglasses when she spied the tall figure of Theo at the counter. He was mailing an overnight package.
Charles completed Theo’s transaction, then looked up. “Hey, Hope.”
Theo turned and stared at Hope standing behind him. He flashed a dazzling smile. “Good afternoon.”
Nodding to Theo, she said, “Good afternoon to you, too.” She took the bundle of letters and magazines Charles placed on the counter. “Thanks.”
Charles winked at Hope. “See you next week.” She made it a habit to pick up her mail every Wednesday.
Theo fell into step with her as she walked out of the post office. “How have you been?”
Hope gave him a sidelong glance. “Wonderful. How about yourself?”
“Relieved. I just mailed off the pilot script.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. How’s your writing project?”
“Good. I’ve begun the first chapter.”
“How many chapters have you projected?”
“Twelve.”
He whistled softly. “That’s a lot.”
They moved outdoors under a porch. “How’s your family?”
“Thankfully, everyone’s well. They’ve been asking about you.”
“Really?”
Theo angled his head. “Really. In fact, Chris, Brandon and Noelle have decided to get into the matchmaking business. They think I’m old, write too much, and because I don’t have any fun, they believe we should ‘hook up.’ ”
“You’re not old,” she said, deciding to ignore his reference to their “hooking up.”
“Tell that to teenagers. To them anyone over thirty is old. And once you hit forty, then you’re ready for an assisted living facility.” Reaching out, Theo caught Hope’s arm. “I’d be honored if you would have dinner with me tomorrow evening.”
Her body stiffened in shock. “Are you asking me out to refute your siblings’ assessment that you’re an old workaholic?” Much to her surprise, he threw back his head and laughed.
“No. I’m asking you out because I enjoy your company.”
“I enjoy talking to you, too. But did you tell them you were going to ask me out on a date?”
“No.” He gave her a tender smile.
She returned his smile. “Do you realize how lucky you are, Theo? You have family who love you. They have one another, yet they’re concerned because they don’t want you to grow old alone.”
“What they don’t realize is that I’m alone by choice.”
“Teenagers don’t want to understand that concept. At their age they are the quintessential party animals.”
“You’re right. But you didn’t answer my question. Will you have dinner with me?”
Going out with Theo signaled a beginning, a step into the dating scene. “Yes, Theo. I’ll go out to dinner with you.”
Behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses, Theo let his gaze travel slowly over her. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.”
She nodded. “Where are we dining?”
“I’ll make reservations at a restaurant in Savannah.”
“I’ll be ready.” She pulled her arm from his loose grip, smiling. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” he repeated, watching her as she walked to her car.
Hope parked her car and reached for the stack of mail on the passenger seat. As soon as she stepped out, she saw the Anderson children standing on her porch. The first thing that came to mind was that something had happened to Theo, but she dismissed it because she’d just left him at the post office.
She smiled slowly as she mounted the stairs. “Good afternoon.”
Christian moved forward. “Good afternoon, Miss Hope. We’re here because Miss Helen would like you to come to dinner tomorrow.”
“That is, if you don’t have other plans,” Noelle added quickly.
Hope noticed they’d said Miss Helen and not Theo. “I’m sorry, but I do have something planned for tomorrow.”
Head lowered, Brandon asked, “How about tonight?”
Noelle walked over and stood next to Christian. “Please, Miss Hope.”
She stared at the three teens, trying not to laugh. There was desperation in Noelle’s voice, and Brandon was hard-pressed to meet her gaze. “Does Theo know I’m invited for dinner?”
Sighing, Christian stared out over her head. “We may as well tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
He looked sheepish. “We’re trying to get you and our brother together.”
Hope’s lips twitched in amusement. “Does he know this?” All three nodded. “Why do you think Theo needs your help?”
Noelle’s eyes were misty. “All he does is write. And I know he likes you, because he told me he did.”
“He’s getting old and he’s going to need someone to take care of him.” It was Christian’s turn to offer his rationale.
She wanted to tell them that Theo wasn’t old. And even when he did get old he still would not have a problem attracting women. The Anderson children inviting her to dinner without Theo’s knowledge validated his claim that his brothers and sister did have boundary issues.
“How do you think Theo would react if he knew you guys were here hatching a plot to set him up with me?”
Brandon stared at his brother, then his sister. “I’m certain he wouldn’t like it.”
Hope decided it was better not to tell them that she and Theo had plans to see each other the following evening. “I won’t tell if you won’t. But, on the other hand, if your brother likes me, then I’m certain he will ask me out.”
Noelle gave her a skeptical look. “Are you sure?”
Hope smiled at her. “Very sure.”
“My brother is really cool.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“Does that mean you like him?”
“Yes, I like him.” Christian and Brandon, grinning from ear to ear, exchanged high fives.
“Does that mean you’re coming for dinner, Miss Hope?”
“Not tonight, Noelle.”
“When?”
Hope tugged gently on the girl’s braided hair. “Perhaps we can all get together Sunday afternoon. If it doesn’t rain, then I’ll cook outdoors.”
Her answer seemed to satisfy the trio. She stood on the porch watching them as they made their way down to the beach. Within minutes they became smaller and smaller until they disappeared.
She did not envy Theo. Not only were his charges willful but they were also determined to get him a girlfriend. And she knew they would be formidable opponents if they decided a woman wasn’t worthy of their brother.
Well, she wasn’t too worried about the Anderson siblings, because her association with Theo would not extend beyond the summer. She had come to McKinnon to write and heal, not become involved with a man.