“I know,” he said. “It worries me sometimes. I don’t want him to wander too far or get himself in trouble, like if he runs into some challenging wildlife. Or some hunter mistakes him for a deer.”
“A black, brown and white deer? That would be a very stupid hunter.”
“How about dinner tomorrow night? We can share the prep.”
“It’s getting pretty chilly when the sun goes down,” she said. “How do you feel about your house and a fire in the fireplace?”
“I feel good about that.”
* * *
Kaylee went to Jack’s at lunchtime, planning on a sandwich and salad, but she had a double treat when she found Mel there with an adorable little girl. They were sitting at a table rather than the bar and Mel waved her over.
“Kaylee, this is my friend, Mallory. Would you like to join us for lunch?”
“Absolutely! Is this a special occasion?” she asked, sitting down.
“Mallory’s mom had an appointment today and there’s no school for teachers’ planning sessions, so we’re hanging out.”
“My mom’s having her medicine,” Mallory said. “Her chemo medicine.”
That hit Kaylee right in the gut. “Oh dear, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Mallory said. “It’s going to make her better.”
“That’s what we’re hoping for, aren’t we?” Mel said. “Mallory, tell Kaylee what your favorite subject is.”
“Reading. Not math very much, but I read all the time.”
“And you will never guess what Kaylee does for her work. She writes books!” Mel said.
“You do?” Mallory said. “Whole books?”
“Whole books.” Kaylee laughed. “Do you read whole books?”
“I love books. They’re not long like the ones my mom reads, but they’re for my age, which is ten. I read my first one when I was six. Before that I read my magazines and books with pictures from the library. We go to the library every Saturday. Unless my mom doesn’t feel good. Do you ever write books with a mystery? Or like a surprise ending?”
“It turns out that’s my specialty.”
“Could I read one of them, do you think?”
“I think you have to be just slightly older. You’re smart enough to read one, but unfortunately I use too many swear words for your age group.”
“I could not look at them or pretend I didn’t see them,” she suggested. “My mom reads books like that, I think. She says I can’t read her books because they’re too adult, and I think that means dirty words.”
“There are plenty of books to read while you’re getting to the right age,” Kaylee said. “Tell me about your favorite books.”
Mallory talked nonstop all through lunch and it turned out to be one of Kaylee’s most fun days. When they were finished with lunch, Mallory thanked Kaylee and promised to read some of her books, “When I’m older. Maybe next year.”
* * *
Landry texted Laura and asked her when she would be free for lunch. He had another fair on the weekend, but any other time he would drive down to San Francisco. The following Monday he left at the crack of dawn for what would be at least a four-hour drive.
Of course she had chosen The Oak Room, one of those fancy restaurants they had loved when they were a couple. They could hardly ever afford it when they were younger, but they did manage to have dinner there with a few guests on their wedding day. She probably chose it for the nostalgia.
And there was an undeniably warm feeling that came over him when he thought about that day. There were just a few people—his father, her mother, two couples who were friends. And it was one of the happiest days of his life. He had no way of knowing that barely a year later everything would change.
He parked and took the trolley to the restaurant and was not surprised that she made it ahead of him. Her eagerness to resolve things was showing. “I had the waitstaff find us a quiet table in the corner where we can talk.”
The rich dark wood and mirrors of the restaurant were not comforting. He had always appreciated the exquisite decor and yet never felt as though he belonged there. He was more comfortable at Jack’s. Landry waited for the wine and intended to wait until they ordered lunch before telling Laura how he felt, but she tripped him up. She raised her glass and said, “Here’s to new beginnings.”
He put down his glass. “It will be a new beginning, Laura, but not the kind you think. I can’t give our marriage a second chance. It just doesn’t feel right. It took me long enough to get beyond the disappointment before. I’ve built a different kind of life now, one I’m comfortable with. I’m really sorry your career didn’t work out the way you wanted, but it’s too late for us.”