Page 72 of The Pink House

“If you already had plans to go, I don’t want to intrude.”

“No plans.”

“You just happen to know when the O’s play?”

“Does that day and time work for you?”

“It does.” She hesitated. “We should probably do a couple motorcycle trial runs before then.”

“It’d probably be best if you ride with me this first time.”

“Okay. That works, too.” Hannah impulsively lifted her glass. After a second, he lifted his. “To new adventures.”

When the crystal rang out as the glasses tapped together, Hannah told herself that this trip was simply something new and fun for her to do. And, like Charlie had said, it would make her feel connected to Brian.

But as Hannah gazed into Charlie’s dark eyes, she knew that the excitement that shot through her had nothing to do with Brian and everything to do with Charlie.

* * *

Baking cupcakes for a fundraiser in the town square kept Hannah busy early Saturday morning. When she got in her car to head downtown at nine, she spotted Charlie backing out of his driveway.

She honked and pulled up next to his truck on the street, sliding down her window. “Did you get the bike?”

“Everything is in place. I have our transportation, tickets to the game and a parking space secured.”

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week.” She thought of Hugh and chuckled. “Unlike our neighbor, I’m very glad that the rain went north. Again.”

Charlie smiled. “Does leaving at one still work for you?”

“I’ll be ready. See you then.” Lifting a hand in farewell, she sped off down the street.

After spending a couple of hours at the Women in Business booth handing out cupcakes and coupons good for 25% off an initial Hannah Cakes order, Hannah realized Charlie had been right. These women were not only great resources, but also a built-in support system. She could even see a couple of them becoming close friends.

As she drove home, Hannah thought how her life continued to become richer in ways she had never imagined.

Once she got home, she changed into leggings and a cute black shirt she’d picked up this week that boasted thin pinstripes of orange. Orange wasn’t really her color, but thiswasan Orioles game.

Besides, as casual as the shirt was, she could dress it up by ditching the Orioles cap. When deciding what to wear, Hannah had kept not only the motorcycle in mind, but also Charlie’s comment about grabbing dinner afterward on the water.

Hannah moved to the mirror near the front door and added more color to her lips, then gave herself one last glance.

With her hair pulled back in a jaunty tail and the ball cap on her head, she could easily pass for a college student heading out to watch some baseball.

She felt like one, excited and unsure. When her phone dinged, and she saw it was a text from Charlie asking her to come outside, she was ready.

Ready to forget the heartache of the past for one evening and simply embrace new possibilities.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

As Hannah stepped from her porch, Beverly paused in her watering across the street to lift a hand and wave.

Waving back, Hannah came to an abrupt halt when she spotted Charlie. He wasn’t on a motorcycle, but rather, stood in her driveway next to a sleek vintage Jaguar convertible.

She crossed quickly to him, conscious of Beverly’s gaze following her as she stopped beside the car. She pointed. “This doesn’t look like a motorcycle to me.”

Dressed in jeans and an Orioles jersey, Charlie grinned. “You’ve got sharp eyes. I had a feeling you’d notice.”

She ran her fingers appreciatively over the glossy red paint. “This isn’t what you and Brian had planned.”

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