With one last glance at Charley’s stand, she prepared to put the car in reverse.
As if on cue, the window on the permanently parked taco trailer began to roll up.
Yes!
Grabbing her purse from the seat beside her with one hand, she opened the door with the other and swung her legs out.
Best to move fast before a line formed and other customers cut into her one-on-one time with the taco chef and town sage.
She set off at a jog for the stand, arriving as Charley set a napkin dispenser on the counter.
When she drew close, he paused and gave her one of the dazzling smiles he bestowed on everyone who crossed his path. “My first customer of the day. Welcome.”
Her lips curved up at his characteristic friendliness. The man’s welcoming manner hadn’t changed since her last visit here for Dad’s funeral. Nor had his appearance. Laugh lines were still embedded in the weathered skin at the corners of his eyes, and his long gray hair was pulled back into a ponytail and crowned with a green Oregon Ducks cap.
She, however, had matured. Besides, while she’d been born in Hope Harbor, she’d spent so little time here after the age of twelve that it would be unrealistic to expect him to remember her from those days—or from her one visit to his stand thirteen years ago.
As she opened her mouth to respond to his greeting and reintroduce herself, his face lit up in recognition. “Devyn Lee! Is that you, all grown up and now a famous ballerina?”
Her jaw dropped. “I can’t believe you remember me.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You were a memorable child. Serious and dedicated and conscientious.” The fan of lines beside his eyes deepened. “I imagine all of those attributes still apply, given your success in the competitive world of ballet.” He leaned down, his countenance growing more serious as he rested his forearms on the serving counter to put himself at eye level. “I was sorry to hear about Lauren’s accident. How is she doing?”
“Improving.” She gave him a quick recap of the prognosis. “I think she may be released early next week.”
“That’s wonderful news. Will you be able to stay with her awhile?”
“Yes—if she wants me to.” She gave the area a quick sweep. No one was yet making a beeline for the stand. That gave her a perfect opportunity to offer a couple of comments and see if they prompted any insights from Charley. “Lauren and I aren’t very close. We haven’t stayed in regular touch.”
He nodded, empathy radiating from him. “That can happen in families—and the longer the gap, the wider it becomes.”
“I know. And I don’t have a clue how to bridge it at this point.”
“The fact that you came out here on a moment’s notice sends a powerful message.”
“If someone is receptive.”
“Maybe she just needs time. A head injury can take a lot out of a person—and it can mess with the brain’s ability to process information. Plus, she has other challenges weighing on her mind.”
He must be referring to Lauren’s separation from Dennis. Ina town the size of Hope Harbor, it would be impossible to keep that kind of news secret.
Perhaps a general remark might elicit a bit more information on that subject than Lauren had shared. “I know she and her husband have issues.”
“It’s always sad when a marriage crumbles.”
That was all he offered.
Disappointing, but not surprising. Charley had always been known as the soul of discretion.
“Lauren hasn’t told me much about that yet.” Like nothing. “To be honest, I didn’t even know she’d separated from Dennis until I called to tell her office she’d been injured. They mentioned it in passing.”
“I imagine she has her reasons for being reticent. But if you stick around, she may open up to you.”
“I don’t know.” Devyn played with the pull tab on the zipper of her jacket. “She has a lot of resentment.”
Charley offered her a gentle smile. “It’s hard to live in the shadow of someone who’s achieved their dream—especially if you feel like your own dreams took second place.”
She frowned.
