April stood and followed her down the stairs. “Leslie, you’re more than welcome any time and whatever you say is between the two of us. I promise. Us girls need to stick together.”
Leslie reached out and squeezed her hand. “Thank you, dear.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Mom, you can’t go snooping around April’s shop like that.” He bit back the retort that sprung to his lips, knowing she was only trying to be helpful. But still, his mother sussing out the girl who gave him sleepless nights was just a little bit much.
“I am perfectly capable of welcoming her to town. Have you forgotten that I’m a member of the committee, David or at least I was when your father was alive?”
“Don’t use that as an excuse.” He looked out the window at his neat yard, kept in pristine condition by Woodsie, the local handyman. He couldn’t see April in such an organized space. She had flair for color, design, and all things that couldn’t be considered the slightest bit boring. If she had any say in his life, the yard would be turned upside down, he was sure of it. Why was he thinking that when he should be berating his mother for meddling in his nonexistent love life?
“I’m not. I had to buy a birthday gift and it made sense to see what April had for sale in her little shop. I have to say I was very impressed, too. Such a creative person, and some wonderful stuff for sale.”
“She is.”
“And so much nicer than when your grandfather owned the place. I’ve offered her the old papers in the shed. She’s just the person to make good use of them, too. Her face lit up when I told her about them.”
He wasn’t surprised. “Did you want me to take them around to her?”
“No, no. Thank you anyway but she’s going to come and collect them herself. I offered to let her take cuttings of some of my plants. Since she doesn’t have a yard anymore, she’s going to make one with pots. Such a clever girl she is, too. I’m sure it will look wonderful.”
“Don’t go getting ideas, Mom. You’ll only be disappointed.”
She laughed and the tension crept up his spine. “I don’t think so. I picked up something for you too, darling. Something to brighten up your dining room.”
He stared at the white clean lines of the room she mentioned. There was nothing wrong with it the way it was. Scandinavian bleached pine sideboard, white leather dining setting–what was wrong with it? “Why would you do that?”
“White might be easy to keep clean and look good in magazines, darling, but really, a burst of color wouldn’t hurt you know. And she has this gorgeous vintage lamp that would look great in your living room too. The most wonderful shade of moss green with gorgeous red beads. It’ll bring the outdoors in.”
“Mom, please! I don’t need you to redesign my home for me. I like things just the way they are.”
And she’s too busy for me anyway so why should I care if you’ve fallen for her charms. It was childish but David couldn’t help it. He liked her even though his brain was screaming for him to run and keep his sanity. April Moore was too different, too wild for his tastes. She would bring too much chaos to his well-ordered life and he didn’t think that would be something he could adapt to. Not yet anyway. Not until he got his head around the reason why he liked her more than he should.
“Darling, its time you stepped out of your shell and lived again. Existing isn’t the answer.” She cleared her throat. “I know this for a fact and I wanted to tell you before you heard it anywhere else, I have a date tonight and I’m going to jolly well enjoy myself.”
His mom! A date! Was she kidding?
“And before you say anything, it’s time. Your dear father has been gone almost two years and he wouldn’t appreciate either of us sulking our lives away. Life is for the living and I intend to do just that. You should, too.”
“But what about Seattle?” He couldn’t let his plans unravel. There’d be no end if he did.
“Sweetheart, I did tell you the other day that I didn’t really want to go back. We’ve been here for far too long for me to make another move.” She touched a hand to her hair and patted down a curl. “Besides, I can go for a night or two if I feel like it. I don’t have to actually live there to enjoy the city you know.”
“How can I leave you here and go back if you don’t? It doesn’t make sense. I don’t want you on your own.”
She gave him a secretive smile. “But don’t you see? I won’t be.”
“Who is he?” This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t happen.
“I’m not saying just yet. Suffice to know that your mother is going to get out and about and enjoy herself. I’ll let you meet him when I’m ready.”
“Fine then. You’re old enough to know what you’re doing, I suppose.” How was it possible his mother had found someone when he was still a confirmed bachelor who was scared of making the first move and disrupting the life he thought was all mapped out for him? It didn’t make sense. What was the world coming to?
“Before I go though, I want you to think about April. She might just be what you need.”
“Mom, please…”
*
“I know
