It was another two weeks before Derrick managed to get back to Shiloh Springs. After some astounding negotiation by Ms. Patti, he had reached an agreement to buy the house and get an early closing. In his pocket was the check for the final closing costs and the title company, and everything was done except for the signing. He wasn’t sure how Ms. Patti had worked her magic, but he was grateful because Ian had gotten downright surly. Maybe getting into a place of his own, that sense of stability, of being able to decorate his room anyway he wanted with his own furniture, might make him feel like he belonged.
“We’re almost there. Can you believe it? Today’s the day. Once we sign the papers, the house belongs to us. Lock, stock, and hefty mortgage payments.”
Silence met him. Ian had withdrawn in the past couple of weeks and had become a moody, snarky, and sullen facsimile of the boy he’d been just two weeks ago when they’d been in Shiloh Springs. He hoped being back in the small town would invoke a spark of the son he’d been before.
“What’s the first thing you want to do once we’ve got the keys?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on, Ian. Aren’t you a little bit excited? We’re starting a new adventure.”
When Ian simply shrugged, Derrick was sorely tempted to pull the truck over to the side of the road and shake him. Why couldn’t he see this was a new start for them both? A chance to learn and grow closer, and be a real family?
“Can we go to the diner after?”
“Sure can. I bet Daisy will be excited to hear about the new house.”
“Maybe.”
Guess that’s the best I’m gonna get. Better than nothing. I wish I could figure out how to get through to him. My own son, and most of the time it’s like I’m talking to a stranger.
It took longer than Derrick expected to deal with all the paperwork and hand over the gigantic check. His savings had taken a huge hit, but it would be worth it. Something about having his own piece of Shiloh Springs felt right. He couldn’t describe what the feeling was, but it started deep in his gut and traveled straight to his chest. Warmth and a feeling of connection, of being part of a greater whole. And didn’t that sound like a sappy greeting card?
Pulling up in front of the diner, he jockeyed for a parking space. Looked like business was booming in downtown Shiloh Springs today. Since it was a Saturday morning, it wasn’t surprising.
“Hope we can find a table. Looks like everybody’s wanting to eat out today.”
“We can come back. I mean, if you want.”
Derrick couldn’t hide his smile. “Let’s see if they’ve got an open table. If not, we’ll come back.”
“Because you want to see Daisy, right?” Ian’s smirk was a sight to see, the twinkle in his blue eyes something Derrick had missed seeing. When was the last time he’d seen it? Oh, yeah, two weeks ago—when they’d gone to the Italian place with Daisy.
“I think you’re the one who’s looking forward to seeing Daisy again.”
“She’s okay.”
High praise indeed, my son.
Walking through the front doors, the noise level was overwhelming. Almost every seat was taken. Just as Derrick was getting ready to turn around and leave, he spotted Rafe Boudreau and his brother, Brody, seated at a table toward the back. A third place setting was on the table, so he suspected somebody else would be showing up.
Rafe raised his hand and motioned then over. Placing his hands on Ian’s shoulders, he steered his son toward Rafe’s table.
“Momma said you’d be in town today. Congratulations on your new house.”
“Thanks. Just came from signing the paperwork and handing over a disgustingly large check. Picked up the keys and thought we’d stop here and celebrate.”
“Congratulations, Williamson. Looks like we’re gonna be neighbors.” Antonio strolled over toward them and clapped Derrick on the back. He liked the other man. He was a solid worker, with a quick brain and an even temper. They worked well together, and was probably the primary reason he’d even considered Shiloh Springs. Antonio Boudreau had been the reason he’d first visited, working a case concerning the woman who was now Antonio’s wife.
“Can I go talk to Daisy?” Ian pointed over to where Daisy stood behind the counter, ringing up a customer. She smiled when she caught his stare, her face lit with an inner joy few people had.
“For a minute. Don’t bother her if she’s too busy though, okay?”
Ian nodded and made his way over to Daisy, who enveloped him in a big hug. The funny thing was, Ian hugged her back.
“You got a minute, Williamson? Would like to pick your brain about something.” Rafe pointed to the empty chair. “Daisy will keep an eye on your boy for a couple minutes.”
Derrick sat in the empty chair, which gave him a clear view of the counter, where his son slid onto an empty vinyl-covered stool. He couldn’t help noticing that his son was talking a mile a minute to Daisy. Seeing his son this animated had him catching his breath, overcome with emotion. Just about everything he’d tried to bring his son out of his self-imposed shell hadn’t worked. If anything, he’d retreated further away. But less than five minutes in Daisy’s presence, and he was a chatterbox.
“Looks like you’ve got competition for Daisy’s heart.”
Derrick swung his attention to Rafe, who’d made the offhanded comment. “What?”
Rafe nodded toward Ian. “He’s found a soulmate in her, a kindred spirit. It’ll do him good to be around her. She’s got a heart as big as Texas.”
“He did want to see her after we signed the paperwork.”
“All the young’uns around here adore her. She has a special ability, a knack, of making them feel…” He snapped his fingers. “What’s the word I’m looking for?
“Cherished,” Brody and Antonio answered at the same time.
Derrick drew in a deep breath, glancing toward his son again. “He could use a little—actually a lot—of feeling special right now. This whole thing with his mom, it’s hit him hard, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. I’m considering getting him counseling because I’m not sure what to do next.”
“You’ve already made the first step in the right direction, man. He needs time and he needs to know that no matter what, you’re going to be there for the long haul. Don’t worry, Shiloh Springs will be good for Ian, wait and see.”
Daisy felt Ian’s arms slide around her waist, his hug surprising. He practically vibrated with excitement and his grin was infectious.
“Guess what?”
“No clue. What’s going on?” She smiled indulgently, wanting to reach forward and brush the hair off his forehead.
“We bought a house. Dad signed the papers this morning, and Ms. Patti gave us keys and everything. It doesn’t have a pool, but that’s okay because pools are a lot of work. Ms. Patti told me that it takes chemicals and stuff all the time, and if you don’t take really good care of them, they turn all green and gross, and stuff starts growing in them.”
“Ms. Patti is absolutely right. Plus, all that green stuff gets slimy and icky.” Daisy leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered, “And it stinks. Pew.”
Ian’s laughter felt like a balm to her soul. The last time she’d seen him a couple weeks earlier, he’d been withdrawn, and getting him to talk when they’d gone out to eat had been like pulling hen’s teeth.
“You’re funny.”
“I’ve been told that a time or two. You and your dad staying for lunch?”
Ian nodded. “Rafe wanted to talk to Dad about something. Work, I guess.” He spun around on the stool and pointed toward his dad, who was in an animated conversation with Rafe and his brothers. “He’s always working.”
“Well, then, I’ll check on him in a minute. In the meantime, what can I get you?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t hungry before, but…”
“Now you’re starving.” Daisy touched a finger to the side of her nose. “It’s Ike’s cooking. One whiff and your tummy will start growling. Today’s special is meatloaf, if you’re interested.”
“Cool. Does it have mashed potatoes?”
Daisy feigned shock, a hand placed dramatically to her chest. “Does it come with mashed potatoes? What, do you think we’re heathens around here? Who doesn’t eat mashed potatoes with their meatloaf? Ike makes an awesome gravy to go with them, too.”
“We’ll take two, one for me and one for Dad.”
“Coming right up, sir. And since you’re celebrating the new house, how about a milkshake to go with your meal?”
“Strawberry?”
She smiled and ruffled his hair, unable to resist his cuteness another second. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. Strawberry’s my jam, too.”
At his answering grin, she knew she’d given the right answer. Filling out the ticket, she put in the order and moved to the cash register, and checked out another satisfied customer, judging by the size of the tip.
She made the rounds, refilling water glasses, and topping off other drinks. Within minutes, she found herself standing beside Derrick, still seated at the table with the Boudreaus. When he looked up, a slow smile had the creases in his cheeks standing out. She so rarely saw those cute dimples, her heart fluttered in her chest, and she felt flustered. Darn it, she was a grown woman, not a teenager with her first crush. So how was he able to make her feel like a giggling schoolgirl?
“Afternoon, Daisy. I guess Ian told you we signed on the new house?”
“He did. He seems pretty happy about it, even if it doesn’t have a pool.”
“Trust me, we had more than one discussion on the pros and cons of having a pool. I think the extra work clinched the deal. Besides, he’s talking about reading up on gardening.”
She handed him the glass of sweet tea in her hand. “Let me know if he needs any help with that. Or he can talk to Rafe. He’s got a green thumb and can grow just about anything.”
“Hmm. Good idea.” Derrick chuckled when Rafe rolled his eyes, while Antonio and Brody laughed like loons.
“By the way, Ian ordered lunch for you. It should be out in a couple minutes.”
“He did?”
“Yep.” She leaned in a little, speaking softly. “I think you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will. Do you mind letting him sit at the counter? I don’t want him making a pest of himself.”
“Don’t you dare! Ian is a true joy, and he’s more than welcome to sit at the counter anytime.”
Derrick held his hands up in surrender, and Daisy wondered if she’d overreacted. Probably. She didn’t like anybody regarding their kids like they were an imposition or unwanted. They didn’t know how lucky they were to have those irreplaceable blessings.
“I’ll be back with your lunch.”
She moved to the next table and took their order before heading back to the kitchen. Quickly picking up the two plates, she deposited one in front of Ian and watched him dig in, a huge piece of meatloaf disappearing into his mouth. Chewing, he gave her a thumb’s up.
Carrying the other plate across the diner, she placed it in front of Derrick, watching him closely for his reaction. The slow curve of his smile did dangerous things to her insides, and she swallowed down her sudden nervousness.
“My son ordered this for me?”
“Surprised?”
He looked down at the plate again, then nodded, his eyes twinkling with unsuppressed mirth.
“I figured he’d get a hamburger and fries. Or his usual chicken and dumplings. But meatloaf? I didn’t even know he liked it.”
Daisy leaned in closer and whispered, “I think it was the mashed potatoes that sold him.”
“Gotcha. Add mashed potatoes to my repertoire.”
Only then did she noticed that the Boudreaus he’d been sitting with earlier were gone and he was alone at the table.
“Get through all your business? I can send Ian over here if you’d like.”
“Let him stay at the counter if he wants. This is the happiest I’ve seen him in days. He’s been distant and moody ever since we were here the last time. Just between you and me, I’m worried about him.”
“Change is always hard. As adults, we learn to adapt and deal with what life throws at us—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Kids haven’t learned the coping mechanisms they need to process dramatic upheavals. Be patient but set some boundaries.” She paused and placed a hand softly on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. “You’re a good dad. You’ve proved that by noticing he’s hurting and wanting to help.”
“Thanks, Daisy. I needed to hear that today.”
“Well, dig in. If you need anything, holler. I’ve got hungry customers to deal with.” She smiled at him and turned to walk back to the kitchen area. “By the way, congratulations again on the new house.”
“Thanks. As soon as we get some furniture and stuff, we’d love to have you over. I’m sure Ian will want to show you his new digs.”
“It’s a date. Let me know when, and I’ll be there.”
She placed a hand on her stomach to quiet the quivers rioting inside her. Had she really just called it a date? Was she insane? As much as she liked Derrick, nothing could come of getting involved with him. Too much baggage to bring into any relationship, it wasn’t worth the risk of getting her heart broken.
With a sigh, she picked up the next order, wishing she could change the past—because if Derrick ever found out the truth, she’d have more to worry about than just a broken heart.