As they drove to the restaurant, Riley bounced in the seat next to her.“Sally’s dad is so great, isn’t he?”
“He seems like a nice man,” said Sarah.
“He likes climbing.I always wanted to go climbing.”
“That’s why I said you could go,” said Sarah, keeping her attention on the road.
“And he’s smart, and he can cook too,” said Riley.“Don’t you think so?”
“The meal he made for us was very good, yes.”Sarah glided to a stop at a red light and waited.
“Sally’s mom left a long time ago.”
“Uh-huh.”The light turned green, and Sarah looked both ways before entering the intersection.
“So it’s just him and Sally,” said Riley.
“I know.”
“I think Sally misses having a mom,” said Riley.
“I’m sure she does,” said Sarah, turning left on the next street.
“Do you like him?”
“He seems very nice, yes.So I’m fine with you spending time with Sally, if that’s what you’re asking.”She turned right and pulled up a few moments later in front of the restaurant.“Now, if you wait here for a minute, I’ll be right back.”She rolled down the windows to allow in some air.Though it was late, it was still too warm to leave kids and kittens in the car.
As she paid for their dinner and walked back toward the car, she found Riley watching her with one of those looks she had learned to be wary of.What was her daughter up to now?
ChapterFourteen
Afew days later, Raven again found herself standing beside Betty outside in the oppressive July heat, waiting for the care transit van to take her friend to her next appointment.
“Thank you,” she said, reflecting on how their relationship had evolved from colleague to—dare she believe it?—friend.“I appreciate your support in the board meeting.”She waved toward the pub where they’d just had their meeting.
“It’s not necessary to thank me,” said Betty.“The plan is solid and, though I may have overstepped by asking you to include him, I think it’s been a good call to get Lance involved.I haven’t seen him this excited about a project since he was a kid.”
“He does seem excited, but what about the bookstore?I hope it’s not too much for him to take on both.”
“Oh, he loves the bookstore, though it’s different from any other business he’s had.Managing a store that’s been around for decades, with an established clientele, is different from the thrill he gets starting something from scratch.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” said Raven.“I think I might be the opposite.I don’t mind some new problems to solve, but I like the comfortable routine of looking after the cats.”
“This will be a good partnership for you, then,” said Betty, looking up to catch her eye just as they spotted the van coming toward them from the other end of the street.
Raven tilted her head in question.
“Remember what I said last time we met.Let him take the lead on the expansion project and focus your time and energy running the center, managing the volunteers, and supporting the board with the fundraising activities.Give him the space he needs.”
“Don’t worry, I remember.I’ll do the best I can.”Though the idea caused Raven to have flashbacks to other times in her life, when relinquishing control hadn’t worked out so well.
“I’m glad we understand each other,” said Betty, smiling up at Raven before turning to greet the attendant who was climbing out of the van.“Hello, you’re right on time.”
While the attendant loaded Betty onto the van, she turned to say, “I’ll see you soon, Raven.”
Raven gave a little wave, feeling as though Betty had reprimanded and hugged her at the same time.
She gazed after the van as it drove up the street, then walked the few short blocks to the bookstore to give Lance the news.
