Chapter 10 Roan
ROAN
At six exactly, he pulled into the driveway of Reese’s cottage on the edge of town.
As he turned off the engine and headed toward the front door, he thought about how cute the place was.
White, with black shutters and an adorable front porch.
Perfect for Reese. And so different from the huge house she’d grown up in. Was that on purpose?
He knocked. The door opened a few seconds later.
His pulse jumped. She was breathtaking in a cream-colored sweater that hung off one shoulder, dark jeans, and heeled boots that made her legs look impossibly long.
Her hair was down, falling in soft waves past her shoulders.
She’d done something subtle with her makeup that made her eyes look huge and her lips even more kissable than usual.
He needed to stop staring at her mouth.
“Hi,” she said, smiling. “You’re right on time.”
“I usually am these days.” He tried to sound casual, like seeing her didn’t make him forget his own name.
“Come in. I just need to grab my coat and purse.” She backed up to let him walk through the entryway.
The cottage was bright and clean but also warm. White walls, light wood floors, and a couch with cream-colored cushions and throw pillows in soft blues and greens. Through an archway, he could see a kitchen with cream-colored cabinets and marble countertops.
“Your house is great,” he said.
“Thanks. It’s small, but it’s mine.” She grabbed a camel-colored coat from the closet and a leather purse from the console table. Then she paused, looking at him. “You okay? Is something on your mind?”
“You know me too well.”
“I did at one time,” Reese said.
Should he just launch right into everything on his mind before dinner? No, that would be a mistake. They had a whole dinner to get through. He didn’t want her feeling awkward all night.
“Come on, we can talk on the way in,” Roan said. “We don’t want to be late.”
“Let’s do it.”
A minute later, Roan pulled out of her driveway and headed toward town. “I drove Cody home last night. Saw where he lives.”
“How was it?”
“Bad. House was rundown and depressing. Patterson met us at the door. Disgusting excuse for a human.” He told her the details of their conversation.
“They have six kids in that small house too. I doubt they have much supervision or care. They’re doing the bare minimum and collecting checks.
” He heard the bitterness in his own voice.
“Cody deserves so much better than that.”
“He does. But what can we do? The system is broken.”
“I know.” He ran a hand through his hair before taking a left toward city center. “I wanted to go back in there and tell that guy exactly what I thought of him. I’d have given a lot to tell Cody to pack his stuff and come stay with me.”
She was quiet for a moment. “You don’t really want that, do you?”
“I can’t say I don’t.”
“Roan, really?”
“I’ve been thinking about him and Marcus. I mean, I have this big, empty house. Maybe I should try and get them.”
“Okay, well, I didn’t see this coming,” she said slowly.
“I haven’t made up my mind. Actually, I wanted to run it by you. See what you thought.”
“I’m shocked, to be honest.” She shifted in the seat to turn toward him. “You’re just back in town. Adjusting to a new career. Do you really have the capacity to take on two boys?”
“I’ve no idea. But I’m feeling …this sense of inevitability. I can’t explain it,” Roan said.
“Like it’s fate?”
“Something like that, yeah. I mean, maybe this is something good that could come from my mom’s death. I get where they’re at. Maybe I could make a significant impact on their lives.”
She turned away, gazing out the window as he pulled into the parking lot in back of La Danza. He killed the engine, waiting to hear if she had more to say.
“Well?” Roan asked. “Are you going to tell me I’ve lost my mind?”
She turned slowly to face him. “No, actually. I think it might be the finest idea I’ve ever heard.”
“No way, really?”
“Obviously, you need to think about it a bit more, and we’d have to look into all the legal stuff, but I can’t think of anything that would be better for those boys than to live with you for the next few years.”
He sighed with relief. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
She reached across the console, cupping his cheeks with one of her cold hands. “Oh, Roan Hayes, what am I going to do with you?”
“I have some ideas.”
She removed her hand from his face and peered at him, her eyes temporarily caught in the beam of a headlight as a car passed them. “What kind of ideas?”
Before he could answer, someone tapped on his car window, startling them both. It was Pastor David. Roan rolled down his window.
“Evening, Pastor,” Roan said.
“Good evening. You guys coming inside?” David asked.
“Yep. Right behind you,” Roan said, trying to hide his impatience.
“Great. See you inside.” David stepped back and then headed toward the front entrance.
“Not the greatest timing,” Reese said. “I felt like you were about to say something important.”
“I think it’s important.”
“Tell me.”
“I’m still in love with you.” Great. Just blurt it right out there, dummy.
Her hand came to her throat, clutching the collar of her jacket. “Well, that’s …I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. But I wanted to tell you how I feel. I never stopped loving you. And I know I don’t deserve it, but I’d like a chance to prove to you who I am now. I’d like to try and win your heart back.”
She nodded, a slight smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “And how would you do that exactly?”
“I’ve no earthly idea.”
She laughed. “Okay, well, you can think about that during dinner and get back to me.”
“Yeah. I can do that.”
“Good. Now let’s get inside, or they’re all going to think we’re making out in here.”
How he wished that was true, but he kept that to himself.
La Danza occupied the historic dance hall on Main Street.
Mia Hayes had renovated the space before she opened the restaurant, transforming the worn building into an elegant space while preserving its original charm.
High ceilings with exposed beams and original but refinished hardwood floors gave an old world vibe to the place.
Large windows overlooked the street and there was a small stage at one end where live music could be played.
Tonight, the restaurant glowed with candlelight and Christmas decorations. Garland wrapped around the railings of the second-floor balcony and small evergreen trees stood in corners, decorated with white lights. The tables were set with cream linens and flickering votives.
Grace waved from a large, round table near the stage. Walter sat next to her, then Pastor David, Mrs. Chen, and Kris Olaffson.
“There they are.” Grace stood to hug them both. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Reese said. “We have a lot to tell you.”
They settled into their seats. A server came by with menus and took drink orders. After that, Roan and Reese told the others about the events of the week, including how each of the four kids seemed to be responding favorably to attention and care.
Drinks came and everyone ordered their dinners from the elevated Italian dishes offered. Mia was said to be in the kitchen tonight, which meant everything would be delectable.
Once the server was off to send in their orders, Grace said she wanted to update everyone on the gala.
She pulled out a notebook, flipping it open.
“So, the date is set for December eighteenth. Mia has graciously offered us the restaurant for the evening. We’ll have the main floor for dinner and dancing, and the balcony for the silent auction. ”
“That’s wonderful,” Mrs. Chen said.
Grace consulted her notes. “We’re charging a hundred dollars per person. That includes dinner and entrance fee, plus two drink tickets. Half of every ticket sale goes directly to The Bridge Program.”
“A hundred feels reasonable,” Pastor David said. “Especially with half going to the program.”
“We’ve already sold thirty tickets,” Walter said. “Mostly to our kids and word of mouth. But we need to get the word out more broadly.”
“I can help with that,” Kris said. “I’ll sell it to everyone on my route. If you give me some tickets, I could sell them right then. And my wife’s in every book club and knitting circle in town. She’ll spread the word.”
“Perfect,” Grace said. “I’ve reached out to some local businesses.
Clever Fox Books is donating a gift basket with current bestsellers.
Max is offering a cheese of the month club from his store.
Bean Counters is giving us a month’s worth of free coffee and an espresso machine.
Jack Rabbit Cycle is offering a new bike, which is very generous.
Sugarville Slice is offering a pizza party for eight.
Hungry Bunny Kitchen is giving us a standing mixer.
Treasure Chest Toys has given us a dollhouse.
And, of course, our farm is putting together a basket of our syrup and candies. ”
“Aunt Grace, you’ve been really busy,” Roan said.
Grace grinned. “That’s how I roll.”
“What about bigger items?” Reese asked. “Something huge that would really draw people in?”
Grace looked slightly worried. “That’s where we’re struggling. I’m not sure what it would be.”
An idea struck Roan. “What about Jason?”
Everyone looked at him.
Roan looked around the table. “He’s famous. His show has millions of viewers. What if we offered a Hollywood experience as the grand prize? A trip to L.A., visit the set, watch him film an episode, meet the cast. That kind of thing.”
Grace’s eyes widened. “Would he do that?”
“I think so. He’s already committed to helping with the program. And he loves this kind of stuff—connecting with fans, showing them behind the scenes.”
“That would be incredible,” Mrs. Chen said. “A prize like that would draw people from all over the state.”