“That is good news. Congratulations.”
“They are getting married on Jesse’s boat, The Destiny.”
“That sounds nice.”
She rubbed her hands along her pants leg and before she could change her mind, before she could decide if this was a good idea, she took a deep breath. “I was wondering… I mean, if you’re still going to be here in four weeks… Would you like to be my date to the wedding?”
His eyes widened. “Your date-date. Like official date?”
“Yes, my official date. Although I’ll be busy with wedding things. I’m planning the food, but Jesse’s cook will make it and we’ll have servers to deal with it. And I’m walking Heather down the aisle.”
“You are? That’s wonderful.”
“Heather can’t decide if she wants to invite Darren or not. I told her it was up to her. He’s pretty much disowned her for years, but he is her father. So, I told her I’d be okay with whatever she decides. But she’s definite on not wanting him to give her away.” She was rambling. She knew it. Was he going to answer her? She took a deep breath. “So… are you still going to be here? Do you want to go to the wedding with me?”
A wide grin spread across his features and reached his eyes, sparkling with anticipation. “Yes, I’ll still be here in Moonbeam. And yes, I’ll go to the wedding with you.”
She wasn’t sure if relief or apprehension coursed through her. She had asked him on a date. An official one. Everyone they knew would see them together. Was she ready for that?
“So, I have this great idea.” Rob looked over at her expectantly.
“And what would that great idea be?”
“That we should go on some trial dates in the next few weeks. You know, just so our first big date isn’t at the wedding with all the emotions and stress that comes with weddings. What do you say to that?”
She smiled. “I think that sounds like a sensible idea.”
“How does tomorrow night sound?”
“It sounds like a date.” What had she gotten herself into?Was she ready for this?
And as he went back to eating his ice cream, she realized… yes, she was ready. And even looking forward to it.
Rob sat a desk in the sunroom of the owner’s cottage, the late afternoon sun streaming through the windows, surrounding him. He sat with his laptop open before him, pounding on the keys. His new story poured through his fingers, the writer’s block finally behind him. He loved this feeling of being totally immersed in a story. The characters talking to him, surprising him. Times like this he loved being an author.
Violet startled him when she came into the room. “Hey, are youwriting?” Her voice was full of surprise.
“As a matter of fact, I am. How do you feel about having a writer in residence for a while?”
“Are you kidding me? I’d love for you to stay.”
He laughed. “Because I’ll be around to help with the repairs?”
Her face grew serious. “No… because I’ve kind of gotten used to having you around. I like having family here in Moonbeam.”
He liked the feeling of being around family, too. Really liked it. Even if Vi could be a pain at time, he adored his baby sister. “Well, I have an actual date with Evelyn to her daughter’s wedding. That’s four weeks away. So I know I’ll stay that long.”
Violet grinned knowingly. “Smart woman. Ask you to go to something four weeks out. That gives you more time to get adjusted to the idea of moving here…”
He admitted that idea had run through his mind a time or two or twelve. There was nothing holding him back in Vermont. His lease was up soon on his place back home. Though, Vermont never had really felt like home to him. And Moonbeam sure had better weather than Vermont this time of year. And Violet was here.
And Evelyn.
Just look at all the reasons to move here. But that was silly. He was only just getting to know Evelyn. That should enter into his decision. They hadn’t even had an official date yet.
He also admitted that Moonbeam had grown on him. The small-town charm. The friendly people. Even the gossipy Jenkins twins. Life here fascinated him. Even gave him his idea for his new book.
“And… it appears we’re going to be dating some before that. You know, just so we can perfect the dating thing and not have our first date be to a wedding,” he added nonchalantly.
