“You did great.” Aaron squeezed her shoulder. It was encouraging to see her appetite returning too.
Once Devyn signed the check, they left the restaurant and strolled back to the Grace Christian parking lot, Isabel once again taking the lead on the conversation.
At her car, Devyn turned to him. “Thank you again for coming to my rescue this morning.” She extended her hand.
He took it, folding her slender, graceful fingers in his. “Happy to help. Thankyoufor breakfast.”
“It was the least I could do.”
When she smiled up at him, he found himself drowning in a sea of blue.
Man, she had beautiful eyes. Perceptive, intelligent, caring. Andthey were fringed by indecently long lashes. Was a heavy hand with mascara the explanation, or did she have—
“Well...” She gave a gentle tug on her hand, and he forced himself to release it. “I’ll see you at rehearsal later, Isabel.”
“Will you dance for me and Gramp tonight?”
“Why don’t we plan on Tuesday instead, if your grandfather can stay afterward? You can ask him and let me know tonight.”
“Okay. See you later.”
As she slid behind the wheel and started her engine, Aaron guided Isabel to their car.
“That was fun, wasn’t it, Dad?”
“Yes.” He hit the unlock button on his key fob.
“Miss Devyn is nice, isn’t she? And pretty.”
“Yes.” He pulled the back door open. “Climb in.”
She complied, settling into the booster seat. “I’m glad I’ll get to see her again tonight. Are you coming?”
“I wasn’t planning to. I’m not in the show, and you and Gramp won’t miss me.”
“I like it when you come. I bet Miss Devyn would too.”
What?
He shifted his features into neutral. “Why do you say that?”
“I think she likes you.”
If his daughter’s take was accurate, the attraction wasn’t only on his end.
Warmth spread outward from his core, generating an ill-advised surge of happiness.
“I guess I’m just a likeable guy.” He tapped Isabel’s nose, striving for a jocular tone.
But as he walked around the car to take his place behind the wheel, the warmth spread all the way to his fingertips, leaving a tingle in its wake.
So even though the left side of his brain was flashing a red alert, come Tuesday night he might have to find an excuse to show up at rehearsal—and enjoy a private show afterward.
19
Diane inspected the contents of the small refrigerator in the annex she now called home. Wrinkled her nose.
In general, turkey sandwiches were fine for dinner. As were salads and Myrtle takeouts.
