Page 56 of Skipping Stones

“Linney!” Anna was up on her feet and across the room to hug Linney. “I wasn’t sure we’d see you today.”

A frown crossed Linney’s face. “Didn’t you get my text?”

Anna rummaged through her purse and looked at her phone. “Sorry,” she apologized. “It’s a busy day and I haven’t even had a chance to sit down.” She used her hands to smooth back her dancer’s bun.

“I won’t keep you then.” Linney was disappointed, but understanding. Her friends couldn’t upend their lives just because she was home.

“But will you come to dinner tonight? Danny and the girls are anxious to see you.”

“I’d love to. Now go back to work. I’m going to check out Page Turners and get myself a new book.”

Linney entered the bookstore expecting to see a large summer crowd. There was an older couple browsing, but the cash register was certainly not ringing up sales quickly. She found a couple of books—a light romance and a meatier historical thriller and then decided to poke her head in at the local law office. But Derek was leaving as she arrived.

“How’s the jet lag this morning?” He asked and then looked at his watch. “This afternoon, I mean.” It was almost one o’clock.

“Not bad. Have you had lunch yet?”

Derek shook his head. “I was just heading out to get a sandwich. Want to join me?”

“I’ve just had ice cream. And books!” She held the bag up. “I shouldn’t.”

“No problem. I don’t have time to linger anyway. See you around … neighbour!”

Linney laughed. “Sounds good … neighbour!”

The kayak ride home was more leisurely, and Linney allowed herself to stop a few times and just drift. Life was unhurried at the lake, and she was starting to slow down. When she had pulled the kayak up onto land, she made a sandwich and spent the afternoon getting lost in her book.

* * *

“We think it’s time that Derek started dating,” Anna told Linney matter-of-factly, when she joined the family for dinner that evening.

Danny nodded his head. “He won’t listen to me though. We’re hoping you can help us with that.”

“Do you have anyone in mind?” Linney asked, curiously. She hadn’t thought about it, but Derek had been alone for more than two years. It was time.

“Well, Kirsten does,” Anna said, as she passed the salad. “She knows a couple of people who’d be interested in a handsome man and wouldn’t be put off by the fact that he’s a father.”

Linney put some potato salad on her plate. “Count me in.”

“Good,” Danny said. “Kirsten’s coming for dessert, after her shift. The girls and I will let you three plot!”

Linney couldn’t get over how Gabby and Emma had grown. The teenagers had inherited their mother’s grace but their father’s dark hair and eyes had fought with their mother’s blonde genes. Gabby, who was driving already, had lighter hair but Emma was more like her father. They both wanted to know all about her adventures, and she kept everyone entertained through dinner.

When Kirsten arrived, looking fabulous despite a twelve-hour shift, Danny made them all some tea and then took dessert for himself and his daughters out into the garden to let the women plan.

“He won’t agree to go on a date, from what Danny said,” Linney summarized. “So we need to orchestrate a situation where he meets someone.”

“Like what?” Kirsten asked. “It needs to feel natural.”

“Let me think a bit. Where does Derek go out these days?” Linney realized she’d lost track of the details of her friends’ lives.

“Basically it’s just out with us, or basketball with Danny and the guys,” Anna said. “And I’m not sure how that would work.”

“Is there any reason either of you would need to throw a party?” Linney asked.

“What about a picnic for Danny’s birthday?” Anna suggested. “I was just planning something small but the girls want to try and surprise him. That might be a good opportunity.”

“If we can’t figure out something sooner,” Kirsten added.

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