Lily welcomed Mac and Sherlock through the house and to the deck. Ignoring the enticing aroma from the takeout bags in Mac’s hands, the dog made a beeline for the other two, who were down the stairs lounging in the grassy yard. Lily gestured to the table she had set. “I think it’s warm enough to eat out here, don’t you?”
“Fine by me.” He set the bags on the table and began unpacking them. Mel was working late at the library and wouldn’t be home for hours, giving them time to discuss the prospect of them taking a trip to San Juan Island. Together.
Over tender crab cakes and a delicious chicken pasta dish loaded with basil, tomatoes, and zesty lemon, they chatted about their day. When they couldn’t eat another bite or find another topic, Lily slid the email from Izzy across the table. “So, what do you think?”
“I’d love to go, but I don’t want to rush things between us or make you feel uncomfortable. Taking a trip together, that’s sort of a big step.”
She nodded. “I know. I wouldn’t feel right going unless I told Kevin about you. I wouldn’t want him to find out and be upset, thinking I was hiding things from him.”
“How do you think he will react?”
Her voice wobbled. “I don’t know.” A tear slid from her eye. “I never expected to face this, you know, situation. After Gary, I just assumed I’d be alone forever. It’s hard to explain what it is we have. I just know I love spending time with you and miss you when I don’t get the chance to see you or talk to you. It’s been so long since I dated anyone, everything has changed.”
He chuckled, reaching for his glass of iced tea. “You’re telling me. Unlike you, I don’t feel a need to explain things to Missy. Her reaction would not be positive and we talk so infrequently, it wouldn’t come up in conversation. Like you, I don’t know exactly what we have, but I know it’s good. I don’t want it to end and I don’t want to jeopardize it in any way.”
She nodded. “I feel the same way. Izzy has room enough at her place that we can each have our own room. It’s not like we’re going away on some fantasy singles sex holiday.”
He choked and sprayed iced tea across the table. Chuckling, he tried to mop up the mess with a napkin. They both laughed so hard tears rolled down their cheeks. The dogs stopped playing and Fritz hurried up the stairs, worried at the commotion and determined to check on Lily. Sherlock and Bodie followed him and the three dogs stood staring at their humans.
A new round of giggling ensued at the cocked heads and confused looks on the dogs’ faces. Finally, Lily took a deep breath to compose herself. She gathered up the dishes and carried them inside, while Mac disposed of the carryout containers and cleaned off the table.
She returned with a beer for Mac and a rare glass of wine for her. “That must have been our collective nervous energy spilling out, right?”
He clinked his beer bottle against the edge of her glass. “Probably. This was all easier when I was younger. There was no thought at all, just hormones.”
The giddiness that had taken over was gone. Lily took a sip from her glass and set it down, twirling the stem between her fingers. “I don’t think I could handle losing anything else in my life right now. You. Kevin. Mel. I finally feel like I can do this and I can’t risk the thought of anything upsetting the precarious footing I’m on. I’m not saying no to a more intimate relationship, just saying not right now. I’m not ready.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “There is no rush. I’m not here for that. Those days are long behind me. If, and like you, it’s a big if, I embark on a serious relationship, it will be for much more than the physical side.”
Lily sighed. “Then, let’s go and visit Izzy and Kate. I think we’ll have a great time and we can just take it slow and enjoy ourselves without any pressure hanging over us. I’ll call Kevin to let him know tomorrow.”
“Sounds great.” He winked and added, “I already marked myself out of the clinic just in case we decided to go. Are you okay to leave the cottages and Mel?”
She smiled. “My season technically ends the weekend before, so I’m set. Mel is scheduled to take her driving test Wednesday and I predict she will pass, so she’ll be driving herself and can stay with Jeff and Donna, unless she’s comfortable here alone.”
“Without the dogs, I think she’d be better off with Jeff and Donna.”
Lily nodded and finished her wine. “I agree. She’s still skittish and I don’t want any worries while we’re away.” She reached down and ruffled the top of Fritz’s head.
Mac took a long pull from the bottle. “Just to be clear, I wouldn’t say no to a fantasy sex holiday with you in the future.”
That did it. They both started laughing again.
Lily had arranged a small get-together at the pizza place by the waterfront to celebrate Mel’s successful driving test. If it didn’t go well, she was prepared to call it off, but was certain Mel would pass. While she waited for her, she reflected on the video chat she had with Kevin early yesterday morning.
She had worked herself into a knot, her stomach roiling and her head aching, anticipating how she would present Mac and their trip to her son. Then once connected, her nervousness had become overwhelming, and she’d spewed out all the information, not doing a great job of any of the things she had learned in all the various communications classes she had taken over the years. She explained that she didn’t want him to think she was replacing Gary or had forgotten his beloved father and the man she would always love, then let him know that she wasn’t sure where her relationship with Mac would go. She felt comfortable with him and although they had initially bonded over their love of goldens and their shared grief, she felt there was more to their friendship.
Without getting into the details she couldn’t imagine a young man wanting to discuss with his mother, she assured him their trip was just a chance to sightsee and spend time with each other and they were both committed to taking things slowly and would be staying in separate rooms.
She had watched Kevin’s reactions, looking for any sign of angst or concern, and by the time she took a breath, the stress had her sweating through her shirt and her throat was bone dry.
To her surprise, Kevin was thrilled for her. He assured her he was happy that she’d found someone to spend time with and trusted her completely. “Dad would never want you to be sad and alone, and neither do I.” Those words still echoed in her heart. She was beyond lucky to have such a wonderful son.
Talking to Kevin and having his support had lifted a heavy weight from her heart. If she was honest with herself, Kevin was one of the main reasons she wanted to put off any kind of intimacy with Mac. The thought of her son disapproving or thinking less of her was something that scared her to her core.
With that task behind her and a happy outcome, Lily was walking on air. If Mel passed her test, it would make it an even better week. A few minutes later, Mel emerged from the office, a smile filling her face as she waved her new, shiny license at Lily. “I passed. I got a perfect score.”
Lily couldn’t help herself and reached out to hug Mel. “I knew you would. I’m thrilled for you. How about we celebrate with pizza tonight?”
“Sure, that sounds great.” She was still admiring her license.
“Before that, let’s run by the Mercantile and you can pick out a new coat. They just got in their new selection and I want you to have a good one for fall and winter.” She sensed an objection coming from Mel and held up her hand. “I’m not taking no for an answer. It’s in celebration of you getting your license. A gift. Let’s go.” She pointed to the driver’s door.
Mel took the same care she always did, as she prepared to drive them the few blocks down the road. After perusing the racks, she selected a stylish three-in-one jacket in a pretty raspberry color that could keep the rain away and also add extra warmth. They were having a special sale and with the purchase she also got a free cozy vest that would be perfect for fall. She tried on several colors and agreed with Lily that the deep plum was gorgeous. Lily couldn’t resist adding on a pair of cute ankle boots and Mel’s love of them won over her reluctance to accept anything for free.
“I’ll do some extra chores to pay you back for the boots,” she said, admiring them in the full-length mirror.
Lily added them to their shopping cart. “Deal. They’re so cute, you’re going to love them.”
Lily dragged out the visit, taking her time looking through all the racks and trying on a few pairs of boots, before adding another pair like Mel’s, for herself. She glanced at her watch. The others should be at the restaurant by now.
When Lily led the way to the alcove in the back of the pizza place and Mel noticed everyone, her eyes widened and her mouth hung open in utter astonishment. Instead of happy, she looked scared, like she might bolt. Lily stuck close to her and put an arm around her shoulder, amid the shouts of congratulations.
Jeff and Donna, Mac and Cyndy, Andy, Wade, and Barb all held balloons and noisemakers, showering Mel with hoots and whistles. Her cheeks flushed and she turned toward Lily, her eyes wide and shiny. “You did all this for me?”
“Of course. You deserve a celebration. It’s not every day you get your driver’s license.” For the first time, Mel turned and hugged Lily. An actual hug from the girl who liked to keep her distance.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. Lily suggested she go pick up the pitchers of drinks from the counter, to give her a few minutes to compose herself, and Mel hurried from the room. Lily signed to Andy that he could go help Mel, and he nodded and followed her to the counter.
She knew Mel didn’t like to be the center of attention, but wanted to do something special to commemorate her accomplishment. So much of the young woman’s childhood had been stolen from her, and she deserved every drop of happiness she could squeeze out of the little things in life. Most of all, Lily didn’t want Mel to feel like a boarder. She wanted her to feel safe and secure, as if she belonged.
Soon after they returned with the drinks, the wait staff delivered three huge pizzas and everybody dug into their favorites. While they ate and visited, Lily pointed out Mel’s perfect score and Jeff beamed with pride. When they were finished with the pizza, they all presented Mel with small gifts. Before opening each one, she read the card, and held it close to her chest, offering thanks to the giver.
She took her time, untying the ribbons on her bags and packages and peeling away the paper, taking great care not to tear it. Her face lit up when she unveiled each gift, a flashlight, umbrella, car organizer, and gas cards, and then again when she passed them around the table. She admired them once more before placing them all in one of the colorful giftbags, then neatly folded all the paper and added them and the ribbon to the same bag.
Donna had picked up a cake from the bakery and once the pizza pans and plates had been collected, unveiled it. The bakery had decorated the round cake with a set of car keys and a glittery, personalized license plate with Mel’s name. Road signs had been crafted and placed along the outer sides of the cake. Donna let Mel cut the first slice and then served everyone. Mel liked chocolate and was thrilled with the delicious cake and fudge filling.
It was a perfect evening and one that Lily would not soon forget. Mel smiled more than she had in the last few months. The thoughtful gifts, though small in nature, had an impact that was far greater. The fog she had been under since her ordeal in the city seemed to lift, at least for tonight. Maybe for the first time in a very long time, just maybe, Mel truly understood that people cared about her. It may even be her first taste at what being part of a supportive family was like, albeit an unconventional one.