Indignation was there, but it was overtaken by curiosity. “I think I do.”
He acknowledged that with a quick smile. “I want to get to know you better, too. Do you think we could do that?”
God, she wanted to, but... “I don’t know.”
“How about we try, and if at any point you feel pressured, just tell me. I’m not perfect, I know that. You need to know it, too.”
The grin took her by surprise. “I wasn’t under the impression you were.”
“Good,” he said, all too serious even with her teasing. “Let’s face it. There’s a good chance I’ll trip up every so often and I want you to know up front that you can call me on it.”
“So...we’ll be spending time together?”
“I hope so. Like this, just being out and about. Or on a date if you want. You’re close by so you could join Corbin, Justin and me for a movie in the evening, or a swim in the afternoon.”
“I don’t own a swimsuit.”
“So buy one. Or swim in a T-shirt and shorts.”
Warmth enveloped her. She wanted to. Suddenly everything he mentioned sounded exciting, fun and actually possible. Feeling a little giddy, she nodded.
“Awesome.” He leaned forward to look out the windshield. “I think the rain is lightening up a little. Want to make a run for the store?”
The soft laugh escaped in a rush. He was so casual about everything that it helped her to be casual, too. “Yes, I think I do.”
His smile matched hers. “Afterward, you want to grab a bite to eat somewhere? That is, if any place is open in this outage.”
She nodded too fast, then couldn’t help laughing again. “A lot of places have generators, so...yes. Okay.”
Being a seriously funny goof, Lang rubbed his hands together. “Well, this is all progressing more nicely than I could have hoped. Come on, I’ll race you.”
And before she even thought about it, Hope jumped out and took off through the rain, laughing freely, feeling absurdly happy.
Behind her, she heard the truck door slam and then the slapping of Lang’s sneakers right before he drew up alongside her. He even turned to run backward, goading her with, “Come on, slowpoke. Is that the best you’ve got?”
She ramped up the speed and shot past him, nearly colliding with the automatic doors. They opened and Lang was there, putting on a serious face for the gawking shoppers while she continued to snicker.
Fun. She was having honest-to-God fun, and with a man.
In that moment, she knew a whole new world had just opened up to her. She couldn’t wait to tell Ivey all about it.
Chapter Seven
Over the next month, Corbin and Ivey fell into a wonderful, comfortable pattern. Instead of Corbin and Justin visiting the clinic, they came by Ivey’s house at least three times a week. Justin got to play with Daisy, and Ivey got to enjoy them both. Most nights Corbin brought dinner with him so all she had to do was shower and change. Twice she had insisted on cooking dinner, and Justin made his food preferences clear. Meatloaf was his favorite, but he also loved her fried chicken, declaring it far better than what his dad got from the fast-food restaurant.
Maurice actually loved Daisy. When Ivey wasn’t home, the pups were kept in the mudroom, but they weren’t often alone. When the cat went over the barrier in the mudroom to use his box, he usually stayed to visit. Ivey had found them all together more often than not. It astounded Ivey, since the cat had never before met a dog he didn’t hate. Then again, Daisy was a very small, timid dog who treated Maurice like a friend.
Going up to the attic had become Ivey and Justin’s “thing.” That first time, my goodness, how Justin loved it all. She could still remember the awe in his voice as he looked around.
“Wow.” And then a few seconds later, “Wow. This is really all yours?”
“Collected over many years.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You see? I love all things horror as much as you do.”
“Maybe more,” he enthused, before oh-so-carefully lifting an original Alien action figure.
Feeling the excitement of her finds all over again, she made a quick decision. “Let’s gather up all the Alien stuff and take it downstairs. What do you think? That way you can really check it out without all this dust and clutter.”
“For real?” Justin whooped loudly, and the figures had entertained him for a good long while before their visit ended. Rather than put it all away, they moved the stuff into her guestroom.
The next time he was over, they brought down all the classic monster movie posters, as well as a few unique Frankenstein items, like a ceramic coin bank, a few models that she’d put together and painted and a windup doll. Pretty soon her guestroom was filled with her collection. Shortly after that, she began gifting Justin with various pieces.
True, it was a valuable collection, but what did it matter when it only gathered dust in the attic? She knew she wouldn’t ever sell any of it. Justin was over the moon for each and every piece she gave him, and that was far more rewarding than hanging on to the stuff.
Lang built a shelf in Justin’s room where he proudly displayed each item, but his favorites were the poseable classic monsters. Corbin said he played with those most often.
They were at her house tonight, lingering over pie at the kitchen table while Justin, with all the animals, flipped through old comic books in the living room. Through the open doorway, Ivey could see him sprawled on his back, Daisy curled up on his right, Maurice right beside her and the puppies playing on and around him.
Corbin took his last bite, then sat back, his hands over his flat stomach. “I think I’ve put on five pounds since you started cooking.”
Ivey grinned. “You have not. You and Justin run too often to gain weight.” Corbin still hadn’t returned to work. Instead, he jogged with Justin. Or took out the kayak. Or swam. They were forever busy.
“When I started running with him, I never guessed he’d enjoy it so much. The kid has mad stamina. More often than not, I’m ready to quit when he’s still going strong.” Glancing toward Justin, Corbin’s voice lowered. “We’ve got a nice pattern going. Jogging in the morning, errands and chores during the day, dinner with you, then swimming or taking out the kayak before a movie in the evening. I hate to switch it up, but I need to get back to work.”
It’d make sense, Ivey knew, if Corbin’s time with her had to be cut short. She understood him well enough now to know he would continually build on his relationship with Justin. Anyone could see that he valued every moment with his son, which meant something else had to give. That would likely be some of the time he spent with her.