“Where are we headed?” I ask when I step outside and breathe in the fresh air.
Covering his eyes, he looks up to the sky. “It’s a beautiful day, do you feel like going for a walk?”
I grin. “It’s my favorite thing to do.”
He reaches for my hand as we walk down the street. The front curtain in Mrs. Gibbons' house flutters, and I grin, imagining her racing to the phone.
With each step, I move closer to Casey until our arms touch from the top of my shoulder to my elbow, and then I clasp my other hand over our joined ones and lean in.
Casey squeezes my hand and it feels as though he’s squeezing my heart.
As we turn toward the road leading to the center of town, Casey’s stops.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing, I’m sorry. I just didn’t realize we were walking to town. It’s fine.”
“It’s warm out today. I’m thinking we can go to The Creamery. Or is that not allowed on your diet?”
“I think I can cheat this one time,” he teases and I’m not sure if he’s kidding, but his arm relaxes and we walk toward the shops and fountain. It’s mid-week so the square isn’t busy, just a couple of people walking in and out of stores. I spot Kyle, Mrs. Gibbons' nephew, and I wave when he squints in our direction. I wonder if he and his aunt will compare notes later. Casey doesn’t acknowledge him though, which I find strange. “Didn’t you and Kyle go to school together? You’re the same age, so I would think you were in the same class.”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Oh.” Then without thinking much of it, I add, “I guess you weren’t friends.”
“You could say that.”
Casey quickens his pace, his cool response eliciting no further conversation about that. We head toward the ice cream shop, and he opens the door for me.
“Good morning, Mr. Davis,” I say as soon as I spot the elderly man behind the counter. His friendly demeanor never fails to put me in a good mood. Of course, his familiar green apron and cartoon cherry logo helps too.
“Good morning, Sage, and good morning to you, Casey.”
Casey smiles back and greets Mr. Davis with a warm welcome. “It’s good to see you again, sir.”
“Will it be the usual, Sage?”
“You bet, Mr. Davis. You know I never change my mind.”
“How about you, Casey? Would you like to try Sage’s favorite mint chocolate chip or will you stick to your usual Rocky Road?”
Casey looks down at me and his eyes dance mischievously. “I’d like to try the mint chocolate chip today, Mr. Davis.” Then he raises his eyebrows. “Lately, I find myself liking her taste very much.”
My cheeks burn even though his comment could be innocent enough.
“Come, let’s sit over here.” Casey chooses one of the tables at the back, furthest away from the door. Most people prefer to sit by the window and watch the town go by. Not Casey, though.
The man is a mystery. With my hand under my chin, I say, “Tell me about your time here at Cedar Brook Falls.”
Creases form on his forehead and his eyes soften. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, I don’t know. What was your favorite spot when you were a kid? What did you do for fun? Who was your best friend?”
“It’s really not that deep,” he says, looking around and avoiding my eyes. “I don’t remember much.”
Huh.
I try to think of something else that would help me understand him better, but Mr. Davis calls out our names and Casey pushes back from his chair as though he couldn’t get away fast enough.
