Another giggle, a long soft sigh.Who cares about clam broth?I want to meet Ian Finnegan.She said his name as though it was a piece of dark chocolate melting in her mouth.Ian Finnegan.I love the name Ian.And that voice.Serious heart throb.
You don’t know anything about him.And besides, he’s too old for you.
The dreamy voice shifted, turned accusing.How do you know?Did you see him?Did you talk to him?
No way was Katie divulging the conversation she’d had with the guy or how they’d both hurled insults and accusations at each other.I don’t have to meet him to find out all about him.She’d sidestepped the question.People talk…you just have to listen.
Tell me more.Where does he hang out?How long will he be in Magdalena?And then the question that told Katie she had to visit the guy.Do you think he likes brunettes?
4
Katie thought of ways to approach Ian Finnegan, but the idea of sharing her sister’s infatuation kept her away.Avoidance shifted to determination the next day when Norah hopped out of the car and ran to the front porch, where Katie was snapping green beans.
“I asked Ian if he wanted to go to Renova and try out the new pizza place.”
No denying the excitement in her sister’s voice, or the dread seeping through Katie.“Please do not tell me you asked him out.”
“Guys like a strong woman.”
Oh, no.This was worse than horrible.“What did he say?”
A long sigh.“He said he was really busy right now.”Pause and a firm “But that just means he has to find the time…which he will.”Another sigh.“Ilovehis voice.”She fingered the heart necklace around her neck.“He could make the dictionary sound like a love letter.”
“Norah.He’s too old for you.”Too experienced.Panic burst through Katie as she pictured him using thatvoiceto convince her sister to do just about anything.
“He’s twenty-one.I’m almost seventeen.”A shake of her dark head, a huff.“What’s the big deal?”
Oh, how Katie wished their mother were still alive.She’d know what to do, what to say, and exactly how to say it.Norah had gotten her way for too many years, and the stubborn streak she possessed made it impossible to stop her.But going after a college guy who no doubt was used to gettinghisown way?The guy wasn’t going to settle for talk and a pizza.
Andthatwas not going to happen.
“You’re still in high school, and besides, he’s a city boy with lots of money.”
“So?I thought you didn’t judge people.”
“I’m not judging him.”But of course, she was, especially after their encounter.If Norah knew about that, she might have a different opinion of Ian Finnegan.Or more likely, she’d be even more interested in meeting him.“What happened to Kevin?”
An eye roll, a shrug.“He’s so…ordinary.I told him we needed a break, but the truth is, he’s just not that exciting.He’s not even playing football this year.What am I supposed to do with that?I’m head cheerleader, and now because of some silly knee surgery, he’s done?”Another eye roll.“We’ll lose our shot for Homecoming King and Queen.”
“Norah!He tore his ACL.”
A slump of her shoulders.“Yeah, he did, and I visited him after surgery, brought him your soup and homemade cookies, but how long am I supposed to just sit there, like I’m on the sidelines of my life?”
“Can’t you see what a difficult decision this must have been for him to quit football and start a new path that might not include his teammates?”
Tsk, tsk.“He’s really smart.He’ll get a scholarship to some fancy school to study animals so he can become a vet.That’s like a hundred years of school.”
“Not really.”Her sister’s lack of compassion made her try again.“I think Kevin could really use your patience right now.”
“It’s not about patience.I’m just not into him anymore.”Her voice dipped, spilled emotion.“I’ve got to concentrate on figuring out where Ian’s going to be.I’ve been watching him…”
“You’restalkinghim?”
Her sister laughed as though Katie was past ridiculous.“Of course not.Information gathering is what it’s called now.You see someone you’re interested in, you gather details, even small ones, because they matter, too.Then you create a timeline and wait for the right moment to make your move.”A slow smile spread across her face, making Katie wonder how many times she’d used this ploy before.
“And then?”
“And then you approach the guy, make it look like it’s totally coincidental, and you’re looking so good he can’t help but notice.”
