For a full minute he remained standing in the driveway as the sweet scent of the roses by Anna’s front porch wafted his direction.
But their perfume didn’t sweeten the truth.
This visit had been a bust.
What would he do if Diane decided she preferred her new solo life to the marriage that had given her nothing but grief for more than a dozen years?
A chill rippled through him, far more arctic than the one that had gripped him when he’d gotten his first in-depth look at the books after his dad handed over the reins of the mill.
Drawing a shaky breath, he trudged back to his car, took his place behind the wheel, and faced the truth.
He hadn’t been the pleasantest person to live with. The factthat he’d been deserted by both his wife and son was compelling evidence that the problem wasn’t them. It was him. In hindsight, he was lucky Diane had stuck it out as long as she had.
It seemed his next fix-it challenge was going to have to be much more personal than repairing a collar on a circle blade or erasing red ink from a balance sheet.
Except he had no idea where to begin.
Devyn was going to be mad.
Pausing at the corner of Harbor Street and Dockside Drive, Lauren checked both directions for traffic, then slowly made her way across the intersection, following her nose to Charley’s stand.
Maybe she shouldn’t have ventured out alone, but she’d brought the stupid cane Dr. Sherman had advised her to use for extended walking until she felt more steady, hadn’t she? And it was a beautiful Saturday. A stroll in the fresh air was a perfect change of pace after being cooped up in the hospital and at home for two weeks.
She reached the other side of the street and stepped carefully up onto the curb. Another fall wasnoton her agenda.
But with Devyn and the rest of the production crew sequestered this morning to choose the cast for the Helping Hands show, and Charley’s stand just a short walk from the house, the opportunity to get out had been too tempting to ignore.
Plus, she needed to demonstrate her independence. Devyn hovered too much.
At that less-than-kind thought, a jab of guilt pricked her conscience.
Skirting the remnants of an ice cream cone a disappointed someone had dropped, she exhaled.
Okay, fine. She ought to be grateful Devyn had offered to stay and help her out. Otherwise, she’d have ended up in a rehab facility until Dr. Sherman deemed her ready to be on her own 24/7.
But after the ego-battering she’d taken from Dennis, having to rely on an accomplished, successful sister for assistance only dinged her self-image more.
That’s why she had to get back to work ASAP, where her skills were respected and she was in control of her life.
And this solo walk was a first step that direction—whether Devyn liked it or not.
Charley lifted a hand in greeting as she approached, his face lighting up with one of his megawatt smiles. “Lauren! It’s wonderful to see you.”
“Hi, Charley.” She continued toward him, her steps slow, methodical, and deliberate. No stumbling allowed. “I was in the mood to venture out on my own, and I couldn’t think of a better destination than your stand.”
“I’m honored.” He gave a slight bow. “Tacos for one?”
She hesitated. Should she get an order for Devyn too?
No.
Carrying it home could be problematic, and who knew when her sister’s meeting would end? Besides, tacos were best eaten fresh.
“Yes. One order.”
“Coming right up.” Charley pulled fish fillets out of the cooler and set to work as he talked. “You’re looking good.”
“Thanks. I’m not back to normal yet, as you can see.” She lifted the cane. “But I’m getting there. Slower than I’d like, though.”
