Page 42 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
“So what’s the problem?”
“Let me explain. I’m glad she’s going. His name is Sean and I know his parents. He’s nice enough, I guess.” He hitched one shoulder. “She just seems so young.”
Sean. Sam’s mind was lifted to another time. A time when Josh and Sam had done some dreaming. Back in high school she’d done what every girl probably does. Sam had expected to have a family. In fact, she’d even named her children Sean and Shannon. During those moonlit summer nights when they’d stretched out on a blanket and stared up at the stars, Josh had shared in that dream. She laced her hands on the table in front of her.
All around them in the restaurant people talkedand laughed. But Josh and Sam were in a bubble. The silence and the look in his eyes told her that Josh had not forgotten those dreams. His hand cupped hers, and no words needed. She loved that about him. That was what made her feelings for Josh so real, so special.
“Things seemed so easy back then,” Sam said.
“Exactly but now we’re older and wiser, right?”
“Are we? I’d like to believe that.” Sam had never thought she would get a divorce. That had been an unwelcome shock.
“There are no guarantees but I think I know what I want.”
Sam didn’t know what to say, so she took a sip of her drink and tried to get her head straight. “The divorce was, frankly, traumatic. I have to be more certain than I feel today, Josh. I know what can happen to dreams.”
“I’m willing to give you time if that’s what you need.” His grip on her hands tightened but she slipped hers away.
His words didn’t strike her the right way. Was she needy? It sure sounded like Josh thought so. Sam was glad when the wet burritos arrived. She didn’t want to talk about this anymore. Married to Kurt, she’d put her career and their business ahead of family. Kurt had done the same. So here she was, no Sean and no Shannon.
Picking up her knife and fork, she forced herself toease up. The burritos were wonderful and they talked about everything as they ate. His practice. Seth’s house. Izzy and Skipper. “Is anything going on there?” Josh asked.
“Good question. Izzy says no. Frankly I’m not sure. A woman came into the bakery asking about Skipper. They knew each other in Paris.” She tried to recall the details.
“Paris?” Josh shook his head in amazement. “Wow, and she’s French?”
Sam chuckled. “Yes indeed, and my sister is not pleased. The woman works at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac.”
“How’s Izzy doing living at Skipper’s house?” Josh spooned more salsa onto his burrito.
“Amazingly well.” Sam was surprised that Izzy wasn’t complaining. “She’s actually helping. Says she’s doing the dishes with Skipper.”
“How domestic.” Josh smiled.
“My thoughts exactly.”
They quietly ate their dinner. Sam was glad to be here but Josh’s words had given her more to think about. The silence was companiable. She liked being with him and she liked being here. Before long, the plates were cleared and they were sharing a piece of key lime pie.
Clearing his throat, Josh leaned forward like he was going to share some dark family secret. She foundherself moving toward him. “Back to Mia’s dance. I know nothing about dresses, Sam. I don’t pay attention to that kind of thing. The latest styles and all that.”
The poor man. “Yes, I suppose you don’t.”
“Mia showed me some magazines but the dresses were…extreme.”
Sam stifled a laugh. “Define extreme.”
Staring off into space, Josh seemed to give that serious thought. “Let’s just say they weren’t age appropriate.”
“Josh, your little girl is fifteen. Soon she’ll be driving.”
“Don’t tell me that.” His face had drained of all color.
“Back to extreme. Do you mean necklines? Hems? What?”
His eyes widened in panic. “All of the above.”
“Maybe you’re overthinking this.” She’d almost finished the pie. Josh had stopped eating.
