CHAPTER FIVE
As he drove her home, David was quiet. Misty was content to let the silence between them continue. She had a lot on her mind.
David pulled into the driveway, stopped the engine, and turned to her. “I haven’t seen my mother this happy in a long time. She misses Lily, and your visit has done her a world of good.”
“She helped me too. While we were in the kitchen, she asked me to meet her for lunch before the start of school, and I said I would. With no mother, I’ve never had the chance to do something like that.”
“Nice,” said David. His gaze settled on her and softened as he pulled her close. Tilting her chin, he met her lips with his own, sending warmth and something more through her.
Memories suddenly blocked her senses. Vince used to pin her arms and whisper ugly words into her ear.
Misty fought the feeling of being trapped in David’s embrace. Heart pounding, she pushed him away. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
David gave her a look of concern. “Are you alright? Is it anything I did?”
Tears blurred her vision. “It’s not you. I’m not ready for more. Not yet.”
“Look, we don’t have to do this, but I want to continue seeing you. May I call you? Ask you out?” David asked.
“I’d like that, but only if you’re willing to be patient with me.” She climbed out of David’s car and turned to him. She gave him a tentative smile and waved. She couldn’t let Vince ruin what she felt with David. Nobody had ever kissed her like that.
He waved and smiled in return, and after waiting to see that she got inside the house okay, he pulled out of the driveway.
Misty waited until he was gone, and then she shut the front door and leaned against it. She realized how demanding and controlling Vince had been, even when kissing her. She’d mistaken that for passion. Now, after David’s kiss, she knew better.
###
The next morning, Misty decided to visit the park.
It seemed only right after spending the night thinking about David’s family.
His mother was such a loving person, and it touched Misty to think Susie genuinely wanted to spend time with her.
She’d always be grateful to her for sharing the story about her mother.
It was a precious gift to know her mother wanted her, even under unusual circumstances.
Misty hugged her pillow. No wonder David was such a caring person. He’d come from a warm family who’d shown him what love was. And that kiss of his was magical. If only she hadn’t allowed thoughts of her toxic ex to intrude on the moment.
She got out of bed and dressed for her morning walk.
She had only a short time before she had to set up her classroom and attend orientation classes for new teachers.
Students would arrive for their first day of school on August 28 th .
Until then, Misty planned to take advantage of every summer day she could.
She was now familiar with the neighborhood that she walked through to get to the garden and waved to an older woman who was watering her flowers in front of her house.
Farther down the block, a fluffy white dog ran to the front fence of his house, barking a greeting.
Most of the rest of the houses had little activity as she walked along the sidewalk early this morning.
In the garden, Misty was relieved to see that no one was there.
She wanted the place for herself to reflect upon the family who’d created this space for the town.
Misty wanted to show her respect to the young woman after being with the Grahams, seeing photographs of his sister, and knowing of their love for Lily.
She lowered herself onto one of the park benches and stared at the pink flowers in front of her.
She was certain she would’ve liked Lily.
Misty hadn’t known her except as a pretty young woman who was older than Crystal’s group of friends.
She’d left town for college in New York City, and, following graduation, had stayed in New York doing some modeling before becoming a teacher.
With her blond beauty, Lily might never have chosen Misty as a friend, and yet Misty felt connected to her in a way she couldn’t describe.
A butterfly landed on a pink rose and then fluttered its wings in front of Misty’s face for a few seconds before flying away. She could almost believe it was a sign from Lily to follow her instincts and reach out to Lily’s mother.
Thinking of Susie, Misty wondered if David’s mother was how all mothers were supposed to be. Crystal had done more than most sisters would to keep the two of them together as a family the state couldn’t tear apart. However, although she was a wonderful sister to Misty, Crystal was not her mother.
Misty bowed her head and silently promised Lily she’d do what she could to bring Susie some happiness. An image of David came to her mind. He was the reason she dared to stretch herself emotionally. He was showing her how a decent man acts, allowing her to believe in her self-worth.
She heard someone moving toward her and lifted her head to see David.
He waved and sat beside her. “I hoped I’d find you here. Thanks again for coming for dinner.” He gave her a shy smile. “And for … everything. I’m sincere about wanting to see you again. I’ll be patient, I promise.”
“I loved being with you and your family,” Misty said. “It’s difficult when painful memories take over. I don’t often talk about what went on with my ex-boyfriend, but it’s all there in my head. I’m working on getting past it.”
“I’ll be there for you every step of the way,” he said. “I believe we can have something special between us. I felt it when you came back to town but knew you needed time to adjust.”
“Thanks for understanding,” she said. “I truly want to spend more time with you.”
“That’s something we agree on.” He stood. “I’ve got to go to work, but like I said, I’ll call you, and we can have a real date.”
“That sounds like fun,” she said, feeling almost giddy about his understanding. Vince would never have been so kind, so patient.
She stayed a little longer in the park before heading into town for her usual coffee at the Café.
When she arrived there, Nettie and Crystal greeted her together. She knew Crystal was helping Nettie establish a typical café routine in preparation for Labor Day Weekend, which was fast approaching.
“How did your dinner go with the Grahams?” Crystal asked her.
“It went well. When we have some time alone, I’ll tell you about it. Susie Graham knew our mother briefly.”
Crystal frowned. “I know Mrs. Graham helped Mom once or twice when you were small, but usually, Mom refused any help. Especially as her addiction took control of her life.”
“I’ll share the entire conversation with you later,” said Misty.
Instead of going on her way as usual, Misty sat on a stool at the counter, soaking up the conversations around her, enjoying being part of a small-town morning at the café.
Where would she be today if she hadn’t grown up here?
She’d needed to leave town for a while before she could truly appreciate Lilac Lake and the people who lived here.
Nettie joined her. “Remember, you’re welcome to work here on a part-time basis on the weekends, most especially for any gourmet dinners.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. I want to immerse myself in my school activities, so I won’t be available for a while except for the gourmet dinners. Those will be too much fun to miss.”
“Great,” said Nettie, clapping her on the shoulder. “When your sister said the café was successfully busy, I had no idea how true it would be. I’m in love with this town and these people. I thought I might have to work at the Inn, but I don’t see how I can. I’m too busy here.”
“What about Jason? Is he working here full-time?” Misty asked.
“ He’s cooking at Fresh on the weekends and will work at the new restaurant, Refresh, when they get it up and running.”
“You’re both becoming a real part of the town. That’s very important.” Misty picked up her coffee to go and decided to check out her classroom in the school to see what else she might need.
###
That afternoon, she looked at the list of learning games and workbooks she’d bought online. Second grade, like all the primary grades, was important as a time to encourage the joy of learning. She loved it when the kids got excited about learning a new skill, a new thought.
At the sound of the doorbell, Misty hurried to open it. She and Hazel had talked, and Hazel wanted to see what she’d bought.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see a man holding onto a glass vase of yellow roses, a symbol, she knew, of friendship.
“Hello,” the man said. “Mrs. Graham sent me. These flowers are for you.”
“Oh, thank you.” Misty accepted the vase from him, touched by the sweet gesture. She knew how much their talk yesterday had meant to Susie. It had meant a lot to her, too.
She opened the note and read: Thank you for your kind understanding. I’m looking forward to having lunch with you.
As the man got into his truck, Hazel approached. “Wow! What gentleman is sending you flowers?”
Misty shook her head. “They’re from David’s mother, not him. It’s a thank-you of sorts. She’s been very lonely, missing her daughter. And I love talking with her. It’s almost like I imagine it would be if I had a mother.”
“How sweet!” Hazel said and followed Misty inside.
Misty led Hazel to the kitchen, where she’d placed a list of items she’d bought: books, puzzles, dot-to-dot coloring books, crayons, pencils, erasers, and a few special items.
“I have so much to show you. A lot of the stores are offering teacher discounts, and I took advantage of them.”
Hazel studied the list of items Misty had selected. “Looks like you’re as excited as I am to start the school year. These are all wonderful additions to your other teaching resources.”
“I’ll fill in with them where necessary,” said Misty. “I don’t want any child to feel left out.” She remembered all too well how awful she’d felt when she didn’t have the supplies other kids brought to school and how her teachers had made sure she did.
After they’d sorted through everything, Misty said, “Want to plan a shopping trip for clothes? We can go to the outlet malls in Maine. Or anywhere else you want.” She knew money wasn’t an issue for Hazel.
“Sure, let’s go tomorrow. I need practical things to wear in the classroom.”
“That’ll be fun,” said Misty. “What are you up to this evening? Going to Jake’s?”
“Mike has asked me out to dinner at Stan’s. I said I’d go if we didn’t make it a late evening. I want to be well rested before I go home for a visit next week.”
“A last trip south for a while,” said Misty. “Do you miss New Orleans?”
“We live outside the city, but I miss the food there. I love Lilac Lake, though. It’s where I want to settle.”
“I understand,” said Misty. “Lilac Lake is a special place. And I think a certain gentleman is smitten with you.”
“You mean Mike?” Hazel asked. “He’s a great guy, but we’re not seriously dating. I’m not ready for that.”
“New people are moving into town all the time,” said Misty, realizing she wasn’t interested in dating anyone but David. With him, she felt safe. And she loved his family.
###
Misty was finishing hanging up her new clothes when her cell rang. David.
“Hi,” she said, her heart beating a happy tattoo.
“Hi. I said I’d call. I wonder if you want to come to my house tomorrow for dinner. We can watch a movie afterward if you want to. Are you into Super Heroes?”
Misty grinned. “I think they’re fun.”
“Great. I’ll be working late, but I can pick you up at seven.”
“That will be perfect,” Misty said, eager to be upbeat and not let bad memories get in the way of a relationship with this incredible man.
“Did you have a nice day?” he asked politely.
Misty told him about her shopping trip with Hazel. “Now that it’s getting close to school time, I’m getting excited.”
“The kids you teach are going to be very lucky,” he said. “I still remember my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Gilbert. She was very kind about helping me with math. I didn’t realize how much I’d need it for my work.”
“That's such a nice story. I hope to be a teacher just like that.”
“I have a feeling you will be,” said David. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks.”
Misty ended the call smiling. David’s support meant everything to her.