Chapter 24
“WHOSE CAR IS THAT?” CARLY pointed to Phyllis’s house as Wyatt turned into their driveway.
They were finally home, and Sam had been dropped off. Both Anita and Carly had promised to visit him the next evening. It was strange how Anita missed him—as if he were her own grandpa.
“Oh, that must be Cameron’s car.” She squinted through the golden brightness of the setting sun. “I’ll have to go over and ask how everything is going.”
“Can I come?” Carly asked, nearly hopping out of the car before it was fully stopped.
“Of course,” she said. “We need to take our stuff inside, though, and thank Wyatt.”
“Oh right. Thanks Wyatt!” Carly grinned.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “And thanks to you and your mom for coming.”
She shrugged and said to Anita, “After we talk to Cameron, can I call my friends?”
“Sure.”
Carly shut the door and moved to the back of the car to wait for the trunk to open.
“She has way too much energy after being in a car all day,” Anita commented.
Wyatt smirked. “Probably because she napped about as long Gramps.”
“That’s true. It might be a long night for both of us if she’s not tired.”
His expression sobered. “Thanks again, Anita. I know I’ve told you multiple times, but it was really good to have you and Carly along. Helped both me and Gramps.”
Anita rested her hand on his arm. “I’m glad I got to meet Susan and her daughter.”
Wyatt’s gaze remained on hers, and she didn’t want to look away. But Carly was waiting. Reluctantly she opened her door. He stepped out too. Opening the trunk, he carried their bags to the porch.
“Anything else?” he asked, smiling at Carly, then locking his gaze on Anita.
“No,” she said breathlessly. “I—”
“Meow.” Sassy appeared, leaping onto the porch from the front flowerbed where she must have been lounging.
“Sassy!” Carly scooped her up and buried her face in the cat’s fur.
“Call when you have an update on your neighbor,” Wyatt said softly, his gaze intent on Anita’s.
His gaze said so much more, but there was too much going on for her to try to figure it out. “All right.”
She watched Wyatt walk back to his car until Carly said, “Aren’t you going to unlock the door?”
“Right.” Anita fished out her keys from her purse, then opened the door. Once they had their bags inside and Carly had set down food for the cat, they headed over to Phyllis’s place.
“It’s weird to be here when she’s gone,” Carly mused after she rang the doorbell.
A woman answered the door. She looked to be around thirty, and she held a toddler on her hip. It had to be Cameron’s wife, Becky.
“Hi,” Anita said. “We live next door. Anita and Carly Gifford. We spoke with your husband earlier? Are you Becky?”
She flashed a dimpled smile. “Yes, that’s right. Nice to meet you. Phyllis came home about an hour ago if you’d like to see her.”
Anita’s eyes widened. “She’s home already?”
“The last twenty-four hours have been really good. She’s doing so much better, so the doctor has assigned a physical therapist to come here three times a week. They think she’ll make a full recovery.”
“Oh wow,” she breathed. “That’s amazing.”
Becky opened the door wider. “Come this way.”
They followed her into the house, but instead of heading to the bedroom as she thought they might, Becky led them through the house to the backyard. There, on the back patio, Phyllis sat on a cushioned lounge chair, a throw blanket covering her legs. The yard and garden beyond her were bathed in soft orange light, a precursor to the approaching twilight.
“Well...my...favorite neighbors,” Phyllis said in a cheery tone. Her hair had been brushed, but lacked its usual immaculately curled style. She didn’t wear any lipstick or rouge, and the wrinkles in her skin seemed deeper. But it was still Phyllis. Dear Phyllis.
“How wonderful to see you up and about,” Anita said.
Phyllis smiled and held out her hand.
Carly stepped forward and took it, then kissed her cheek. Anita did the same.
“I’ll leave you three to visit,” Becky said. “If you need anything, just holler.” She walked back into the house.
“Becky said you’re improving by leaps and bounds,” Anita told Phyllis.
She sighed and adjusted her blanket. “I’m . . . fortunate. You . . . rescued me.”
Anita and Carly sat on nearby chairs. “It was the middle of the night, and you had all your lights on,” Carly said. “Mom broke into the house, then called nine-one-one and the ambulance came.”
“I didn’t exactly break in,” she said with a laugh. “The door was unlocked.”
“I . . . don’t remember . . . leaving it unlocked.” Phyllis rubbed at her temple. “Cameron and Becky . . . want to move in. I don’t . . . know, though. I like my . . . own space.”
Anita didn’t know what to say. How much help would Phyllis need after her physical therapy appointments? She knew that stroke recovery couldn’t be predicted. “It might be too early to make that big of a decision. Just be patient with yourself and your recovery.”
“You’re right,” Phyllis said, then she turned to Carly. “Carly . . . your mother . . . is a smart woman.”
Carly smiled. “I know. She always has good advice, but I don’t think she’s being smart about Wyatt.”
“Wyatt?” Phyllis asked in an intrigued tone.
“Carly—” Anita started.
“He’s the guy we met at the assisted living center,” she said. “Don’t worry, he’s her age. It’s his grandpa that we visit.” She continued, laying out the entire story of Sam and Susan and their trip to Medford. She finished with, “They hold hands when they think I’m not looking, but I think they should start dating and kiss already.”
“Carly!”
Phyllis laughed. “Wyatt . . . sounds wonderful . . . I agree with you, Carly . . . Anita needs to give . . . him a chance.”
“I am giving him a chance,” she said, sure her face was tomato red. “I have a lot of complications in my life, and I’m not looking for heartbreak.”
“What kind of complications?” Carly folded her arms. “And Wyatt would never break your heart.”
“Said the fourteen-year-old,” Anita muttered under her breath.
“Mom, I’ve watched you date other men,” Carly said. “Wyatt is different. From Glenn, from Dad, from anyone else. You don’t have those frown lines on your forehead when you’re around Wyatt.”
Anita touched her forehead. “What are you talking about?”
“You get lines when you’re dating someone,” Carly continued. “But with Wyatt, they disappear.”
“That’s . . . observant,” Phyllis said, a gleam in her eyes. “I’d like to meet him . . . officially.”
Anita huffed out a breath. “We’ll see. Now, Carly, we need to unpack and do laundry.” She looked back to her neighbor. “Phyllis, I was wondering something. What if we created a connecting gate between our gardens? You know, so you can come over to my house without all the fuss of going around front?”
Phyllis’s eyes gleamed. “I . . . would love that.”
Anita squeezed her hand. “I would love it too. We could visit each other without all the formality.”
Phyllis squeezed back.
“Can I visit again tomorrow? What’s your schedule like?”
Phyllis grimaced. “Torturous physical therapy . . . in the morning. Come for lunch? Becky can fix us . . . sandwiches.” She winked. “I have to put her . . . to work somehow.”
“I’ll bring dessert, then,” Anita said with a laugh. “Then after school, Carly can pop in too.”
“That would be lovely.”
They left Phyllis, and after saying goodbye to Becky, headed back to the house.
“If you want to call Wyatt now, I can wait to call my friends,” Carly offered.
Anita shook her head with a scoff. “You’re so persistent—what’s gotten into you?”
Her daughter just smiled and walked into their house.
“Go ahead and call your friends first.”
Carly laughed as she headed down the hallway.
Anita opened the refrigerator, then the freezer. She decided to make a chicken casserole. She pulled out chicken and began to defrost it in a pan of hot water. They had peas and carrots and pasta...or should she make rice?
The doorbell rang, and for a moment, she wondered if it was Becky. Maybe they needed help with something, or to run an errand? As she neared the door, her heart skipped a beat at the thought of Wyatt showing up. But when she opened the door, her stomach knotted.
“Bobby?”
He smiled tentatively from his spot on the porch. In one hand, he held a small bouquet of flowers.
Anita could only stare at her ex-husband. Of course he knew where she lived, but he’d never come over like this. And Carly...He must be here to see Carly. Did she know? If so, why hadn’t she said anything?
“Sorry for the surprise,” Bobby said, his smile still in place, albeit nervous. “I seem to have a problem with follow-through. I thought if I just showed up, without making promises that I’d probably break, then I could see my daughter. You know, get those jitters out of the way.”
Anita blinked. She had no idea what to say, or what to do...
“Mom?” Carly’s voice came from behind her. She’d probably heard the doorbell too.
She closed her eyes, then felt Carly come to stand by her side.
“Hi, pumpkin,” Bobby said.
Anita opened her eyes.
“Daddy?” Carly said in a quiet voice. Everything about her had gone still.
“These are for you,” he said, holding up the flowers. “I know it’s not much of an apology, but I was sorry to miss you last week.”
Carly didn’t move; Anita didn’t move.
The seconds ticked by, and Bobby’s smile faded. He lowered his arm. “If this isn’t a good time, then maybe tomorrow? I’m back at my parents’. I, uh, things with Gloria went south. Again.” He gave a nervous laugh. “Not that it should be a reason to see my daughter, or not see her.” He blew out a breath and scrubbed his free hand through his hair. “Look. I’ll call next time. But I just wanted to see you.”
His gaze shifted to Carly again.
“Can he come in, Mom?” she said.
Anita opened her mouth to reply, but the words were stuck.
Carly seemed to recover much quicker than she. “Let’s sit on the porch, Dad,” she said. “We just got back from out of town, so I only have a few minutes.”
Relief crossed Bobby’s face, and Anita hated that she was glad to see it. Glad to see Carly’s dad care about his daughter for a change.
“Great.” He moved off the porch, and Carly sat down.
Anita left the door open as they sat down, a couple of feet between them.
She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but she also didn’t want Carly to feel like she was being cornered by her dad.
She walked to the kitchen and sat at the table. Emotions churned inside of her. This was good, right? Maybe Bobby had really turned a corner. Maybe he and Carly could have a positive relationship. She rose from the table and went about preparing the casserole. Maybe someday, she’d invite Bobby in. But it wouldn’t be today.
When Carly came into the kitchen, she found a vase for the flowers.
“Did he leave?” Anita asked.
“Yeah. He’ll be here all week, he said. And maybe on Friday, we’ll have another visit.”
“Are you all right?”
Carly nodded, but tears formed in her eyes.
Anita stepped close and pulled her into her arms. “I’m sorry it took him so long.”
She sniffled. “Me too, but I’m not going to dwell on the past.”
“Are you sure you’re not twenty-five?”
Carly gave a muffled laugh, then drew away. “He asked about you...and I told him you have an amazing boyfriend.”
“Uh, that’s not true, and kind of dramatic.”
Her daughter shrugged. “Well, it can be true.”
She only sighed. “All right. You win. I’ll call Wyatt after dinner.”
“Good.” Carly moved past her. “I need to get started on my homework. Call me when dinner’s ready.”
Anita stared after her. She sensed Carly wanted some time to herself, but her daughter was growing up before her eyes. Becoming a responsible adult. Anita knew she had Sam to thank for a portion of that. As well as Wyatt. And Phyllis. How did she get so lucky to have such amazing role models for Carly just when she needed them?
It ended up being nearly ten p.m. when Anita finally called Wyatt. She wondered if it might be late for him, since he ran early in the morning. But he answered almost immediately.
“Hey, it’s Anita.”
“Hey. I’m glad you called.”
This alerted her. “Is everything all right with your grandpa?”
“Oh sure,” he said in a soft voice. “I just didn’t know if you’d gotten sick of me on our trip. We were together a lot.”
A laugh burst out. “No, I didn’t get sick of you, and neither did Carly. She kept reminding me to call you. She told Phyllis that you’re my boyfriend.”
“Is that right?” Wyatt paused. “How is Phyllis?”
Anita gave him the update, then he asked, “Are you calling because you want to or because of Carly?”
She didn’t have to think about that. “It’s all me, Wyatt.”
“That’s good to hear,” he said slowly. “Are we going on a date, then? Because if I’m going to be your boyfriend, I think it’s a good idea.”
Heat filled her chest. “Are you asking?”
“Always.”
Anita’s smile felt like a permanent fixture on her face. “I’m free on Thursday night.”
“It’s a deal.”
“Although . . .”
“Although what?” he asked.
“That does seem far away, even though we’ll see you at the center tomorrow night.”
“Thursday is really far away,” Wyatt said, “when I kind of want to see you tonight.”
Anita’s breath stalled. “It’s after ten o’clock.”
“I’m not tired,” he said in a teasing tone.
But she didn’t want him to be teasing. “I’m not either.”
“Did you just invite me over?”
“Yes.” She wasn’t going to beat around the bush. She did want to see him again, and the sooner the better. “But I should warn you. Bobby came over tonight—surprised us both—and it was a lot to take in. Carly was a trooper, though.”
“Oh wow, that’s . . . good I guess? In the long run?”
“I’m hoping so.” Anita released a breath. “Carly is a smart girl and a realist.”
“She gets that from her mom.”
“Hmm.”
“Do you still want me to come over?” Wyatt asked. “Or do you need some time to yourself?”
“I need some time with you,” she said immediately.
“Then see you soon,” he rumbled.
After they hung up, Anita hurried to her bedroom and changed back into regular clothing. She couldn’t see him in her ratty sweats. She had a feeling he wouldn’t mind much, but she wasn’t ready to advance their relationship to that stage.
By the time she saw the red Cadillac’s headlights swing into her driveway, she was sitting on the front porch with the light off to keep the neighbors from spying too much.
He climbed out and seemed to spot her immediately as he walked toward the porch. He wore a fitted T-shirt and those jeans of his she liked, his smile just for her.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey. Good to see you again.”
She laughed, then stepped into his arms and hugged him. She was done holding back with this man. He pulled her close, and she shut her eyes to breathe in his clean scent. “Thanks for coming,” she whispered.
“Anytime.”
She drew away and looked up at him. His gaze was intent on hers. Now was the time. She was done waiting.
“Come into the backyard.”
She slipped her hand into his, then tugged him with her. They walked around the house, moonlight bathing the ground. “I told Phyllis we should make a connecting gate between our backyards.”
“I can help.”
Anita smiled up at him. “You’re volunteering. Just like that?”
“I am.”
“Well, you’re hired, then.”
They slowed their steps by one of the flowering bushes. They were isolated from the street and from any neighbors’ windows. It was just the two of them, at last.
“Kiss me, Wyatt.”
“I was hoping you’d ask,” he whispered, his hands finding her hips and drawing her close.
Her heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest as his lips brushed against hers, warm and soft. Tentative. But she didn’t want a tentative kiss.
She moved her hands behind his neck and tugged him closer as a breeze picked up, bringing with it the scent of the garden.
He smiled against her mouth, and then he was kissing her like he meant it. Everywhere he touched her, little flames ignited. She couldn’t remember feeling this mixture of comfort and desire ever with another man. Her relationship with Bobby had been full of too many insecurities. With Wyatt, deep down, she knew she could trust him. She knew he was real, and that his heart was good.
She let herself fall into him, to receive what he was giving, and to focus on him, and only him. His smile, his touch, his mouth on hers, and her heart was soaring, her stomach spinning, and her feet floating.
“Anita,” he said, drawing away slightly. “Is that Sassy?”
She took a second to catch her breath, then looked down. Sassy was weaving between Wyatt’s ankles.
“Hey, Sassy, can you give us some privacy?”
Wyatt chuckled and moved his thumb along her jaw, then over her bottom lip. The intensity of his gaze told her what he wasn’t saying in words. He closed the distance to kiss her again, his mouth exploring, and her skin heating again. Her entire body was humming, and she knew she’d never forget this first kiss from Wyatt, even though she planned on enjoying a lot more.
Sassy, of course, completely ignored Anita’s request, but if Wyatt didn’t mind, then she could ignore the cat.
“Is this where I ask you to be my girlfriend?” he murmured.
She moved her fingers over his shoulders and rested her hands on his biceps. She could see the glint of his eyes in the moonlight. “I think it’s perfect timing.”
His smile was slow, warming her to her toes. “Will you be my girlfriend, Anita?”
“I will, Wyatt.”
He drew her close and hugged her tightly.
“Meow.”
Anita laughed. “I think I’d better let her in the house, or she’ll not leave us alone.” She released him. “Do you want to stay for a bit?”
He grasped her hand and linked their fingers. “I’m not going anywhere.”