Lakeside Sweetheart

He gave her that blue-eyed stare that left her feeling light and heavy at the same time. “Yes.”

“I don’t need a lot of help,” she replied, panicking. The cold ice cream burned at her stomach. She imagined him being here every day, watching her, checking on her, asking her pointed, preacher-type questions. “I can handle this, Preacher.”

He didn’t speak. He kept munching on his cone. Finally, he finished chewing and nodded. “I don’t doubt that, but why should you have to do this alone?”

“Why are you so determined to make sure I get help?”

He seemed to accept that she was turning ugly again, and Vanessa felt ashamed at herself. “I’m sorry. I guess I need some more time to process this.”

“Okay.” He finished his ice cream and went to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. “And I should leave you alone to do this in your own way.”

If he noticed the dishes everywhere or the half-eaten sandwich she’d left on the counter, he didn’t blink. Instead, he dried his hands on a butterfly-embossed dish towel and walked over to where she stood holding a melting ice cream cone.

“Appetite gone?” he asked, taking the cone from her.

“Yes.”

He took her ice cream and went back to the sink and dropped the dripping cone inside and washed his hands again. Then he came back to stand near her. “You do what you need to do. We’re all here, though. Remember that. Miss Fanny next door—she knew your mom. She’s willing to help, and she’s willing to listen.”

“I don’t need anyone to listen to me,” Vanessa retorted, needing him to leave. Needing to be away from his soft, sweet gaze. “I... I’ll figure this out.”

“I believe you will.”

“But you’d like it better if I opened up and told you all my troubles and my fears?”

He started backing toward the door. “No, I wouldn’t like that better. I wouldn’t like that at all. But what I would like is for you to stop seeing me as the enemy and let me be your friend.”

“I can’t do that,” she said, tears burning at her eyes. “I don’t think you’re the enemy, but I can’t be your friend, Rory.”

He held a hand on the doorknob. “Or you can’t let me be your friend? Because I’m what you consider a pushy minister?”

“That’s part of it. That especially, and you being so nice and not being a pushy minister in the way that I know, is really messing with my head.”

“I wish you’d reconsider things,” he said, “but I understand. I’ll see you soon, I guess. You know where to find me if you need me.” He opened the door, but turned back. “But you need to understand, I didn’t come over here today to badger you. I came because I saw someone in need. That’s my nature as a human being, not only as a minister. Sometimes, people tend to overlook that I’m as human as they are.”

And then he was gone, just like that.

For a split second, Vanessa wanted to run after him and tell him all of her troubles. But she had to be strong. She had to fight that notion with all her being. She’d told a minister her innermost secrets before, and that man had used her fears and her insecurities against her. Never again.

She’d been taking care of herself for a long time now. Why should that change? Why should she believe a sweet-talking preacher who brought her ice cream and made her feel safe?

She rushed to the sink and turned on the hot water and watched as the caramel-vanilla ice cream melted into nothing. Her confusing thoughts about Rory had to melt into nothing, too. Because growing close to him would be a bad idea all the way around.

Why should she believe him? Why did she want to believe him?

Because Rory was different. She could tell that. He’d never been through the type of horrible, mortifying things she’d endured. He was happy and settled and well-rounded and content.

He didn’t know the kind of pain she knew.

Did he?

Chapter Five

Rory sat behind his desk, a spot he tried not to occupy very often. He much preferred being up and about, talking to people one-on-one. Paperwork always made him antsy and tired, but today was Monday.

Paperwork day.

He signed a few more checks and went over some notes for the committee meeting he had to attend later in the week. Then he checked his watch. Blain and Rikki were coming in today to go over the last-minute details of their upcoming wedding.

Thankful that they’d managed to get past her family’s alleged criminal activities and that Blain had saved her from some nasty people, Rory was glad that Blain, a detective, had fallen for Rikki, the daughter of a reputed Mafia boss. Rikki had made peace with her family since she’d found out her powerful father had truly mended his ways long ago, and Blain had made peace with his father, a retired sheriff who’d helped him crack the case.

Rory’s heart warmed at the harmony all around him. Another win for the good guys.

Now he was in charge of yet another wedding. He’d married off Alec Caldwell and Marla Hamilton right before Christmas of last year. They were thriving.

He wanted that for Blain and Rikki, too.

He might even want that again for himself one day. But he tried not to think about the past or his own heartache too much. Rory didn’t talk about that time in his life. He’d been so happy, so ready to start his career as a minister. But then, his life had changed in one quick heartbeat.

People would be surprised to know he’d had to crawl out of his own dark place.

He stopped reading over the budget report and glanced out the office window, across the street to the Craftsman cottage. And wondered for the hundredth time how Vanessa was doing. She hadn’t come back to church yet. But it had been only a week. He’d hoped she’d come yesterday, but he hadn’t seen her in the congregation. He hadn’t talked to her since the day he’d helped her with the pile of broken dishes. But he kept that little kiddie cup she’d almost tossed right here in his desk drawer so he could return it to her one day.

When she was ready.

He had a good vantage point to keep an eye on her. He’d seen her coming and going, taking boxes to the trash, loading her tiny car with bags of stuff. She was busy. She was avoiding him. Maybe she was avoiding the whole world.

He’d also seen her staring off into space, sometimes up at the house, sometimes out toward the lake. And a couple of times, over toward the church.

He prayed she’d walk over and see him one day soon.

In God’s own time.

Some people believed you had to rush right in and grab people by the lapels to convince them that God loved them. Rory preferred to let people come to that notion on their own.

So he prayed them into taking the next step. And he’d been doing a lot of praying for Vanessa lately. She was going through a deep pain, no doubt. No one here really knew he’d been through that kind of pain. Not even his best friends.

Rory wanted to keep it that way. He couldn’t let people see beyond his good-natured, friendly attitude. He’d hidden that side of himself away for so long, it didn’t match anymore.

He’d scare people and confuse them if he told them about the man he used to be. Not that he’d ever been scary. But he didn’t want to go back to that dark spot in his soul. Ever. He’d come a long way to get to this place, and he liked his work and his life. No way did he want to go back.

And yet, when he saw his friends finding true love, he wanted to go back. He wanted to fall in love again. But at times, the bitterness reared its ugly head, and he felt envy and anger pushing at his hard-fought-for peace.

So he understood what Vanessa was fighting.

A knock at his partially open office door brought Rory out of his musings. His secretary, Barbara Rowan, peeped inside. “Hey, you awake in here?”

Rory grinned. “Barely. It’s too pretty outside to be in here pushing a pencil.”

Barbara, petite, with a brown bob and a blunt attitude, put her hands on her hips and gave him a mock stare, her flamingo lapel pin blinking at him in shades of pink bling. “Well, I feel so bad for you, stuck in this stuffy old office. But you have company. Blain and Rikki are here.”

“Oh, right.” Rory glanced at the clock again. “Send them in. This will make my day better.”

Barbara nodded and opened the door wide. “Here they are.”

Rory grinned at seeing Blain and Rikki holding hands, smiles on their faces. “Hello, you two.”

Blain shook his hand and Rikki hugged him. “We’re here for the premarital counseling you suggested,” Rikki said.

“Did I suggest that?” He chuckled and motioned to the floral chairs across from his desk. “So a few more weeks, huh?”

Blain nodded, his dark blue eyes moving over his bride. “Yes. Wedding here in the church and reception out at the Alvanetti estate.”

“Got it marked in red,” Rory said. “Any questions?”

Rikki gave Blain a sweet smile. “How do we get past everything we went through? I mean, I’ve forgiven my family but...how do Blain and I keep my family issues out of our marriage?”

Blain squeezed her hand and glanced at Rory. “We want to make this work. We love each other but sometimes the world can get in the way.”

Rory loved his friend Blain and he liked Rikki, too. So he leveled with them. “It’s not easy. But loving each other is the first line of defense. Loving the Lord helps. Your faith is important, and that shows with you two. Be open and honest with each other, of course. Seek help when you need to. I’m always here for either of you, and I won’t repeat anything said in this room. But you need to talk to your families, too. And other friends you can trust.”

He glanced out the window and saw Vanessa getting into her car. She was wearing a colorful patterned sundress and tall, strappy sandals. When he glanced back at Blain and Rikki, Blain was giving him a one-eyebrow-lifted knowing stare.

Rory tried to cover. “And...uh...you should be honest with your families, too. Don’t hold grudges. Talk things out. Remember the good times and try to get past the bad.”

He groaned inwardly. He was talking in clichés today.

After a few more questions, he went over the wedding arrangements with them and gave them some pamphlets and books to read. They both asked more questions, and Rory said a prayer with them. “I think you two will be fine.”

Blain glanced at Rikki. “Can you visit with Barbara for a minute? I need to ask Rory something.”

“Sure.” She gave him a brown-eyed smile, her long dark hair flowing around her shoulders. “Already keeping secrets.”

“It’s more guy stuff,” Blain said. “Regarding my bachelor party.”

“Oh, right.” She grinned at Rory and went into the reception area.

“What’s up?” Rory asked, his mind still on Vanessa. “You know we’re having a low-key party out at the camp house, right?”

Blain laughed. “Yes, I know all about that, surprises not withstanding.”

“Okay, did you need something else?”

“Are you scouting the house across the street for a reason?”

Blain was on to him. “I might be since it’s going up for sale soon. I’ve always liked that house, and it’s near the church.” He shrugged. “I’m outgrowing my tiny one-bedroom apartment.”

“Right.” Blain rolled his eyes. “I was referring to the woman living there, not the house. Preacher, do you have your eye on Vanessa Donovan?”

Rory didn’t want to squirm underneath the scrutiny of Blain’s eagle-eyed gaze. “She’s in a bad way, so I’ve tried to befriend her. Offer her my help and advice.”

Blain nodded. “It’s amazing. All these years, I’ve never seen you go beyond being friends with a woman. You don’t even date. But since Vanessa rolled into town, you’ve seemed distracted.”

“How do you know that?” Rory asked, affronted. “You haven’t been around me that much when women are nearby.”

“Relax,” Blain said. “I saw you on Easter Sunday, and Alec told me you and Vanessa seemed chummy at Easter dinner at his house.”

Rory laughed. “What you and Alec call chummy, I call being friendly.”

“Oh, okay. We’ll go with that then,” Blain said. “It’s nice to know you’re human after all. You could do worse. She’s cute, and Rikki says she’s nice, too.”

Rory rubbed a hand over his choppy hair. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

Blain shook his head. “Right. I’ll shut up now. Are we still on for pizza Thursday night?”

“As always.”

“And we are gathering at the camp house for my bachelor party in two weeks?”

“You better believe it. And I do have surprises lined up for you.”

“What? Choir rehearsal and memorizing Bible verses?”

“After we play a serious game of tic-tac-toe, yes.”

“Wild night. Love it.” Blain shook Rory’s hand and headed to the door. “Hey, Alec and I, we’ve been there. We should be the ones giving you advice these days.”

Rory finally caved. “I might take you up on that offer. I like her. A lot. But...she’s not returning that feeling.”

“Give her some time,” Blain suggested. “Like you said, she’s been through a lot. One thing I’ve learned, dealing with Rikki and her family, strong women don’t like to be messed with until they’re ready to be messed with.”

“Got it,” Rory said, grinning at Blain’s down-to-earth assessment. “I’m learning that, my friend.”

After Blain and Rikki left, he turned to Barbara. “Please tell me it’s quitting time.”

“It’s quitting time,” she said. “You know you officially have Mondays off, so why are you still here?”

He shrugged. “Habit.” Then he went back in his office and tidied up. “I think I’ve signed all the proper checks and documents so yes, I’m taking off early. I might take a run around the lake or maybe go kayaking.”

“Great idea,” his secretary called back. “Me, I’m going to go home and piddle in my garden.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

Barbara left by the side door.

Rory locked up and was about to head to the garage underneath his apartment to get his kayak out when he saw Vanessa’s car moving up Lake Drive.

She was home.

* * *

He was standing by his garage apartment.

Glad she was wearing her shades, Vanessa noticed Rory out of the corner of her eye. She’d tried not to think about him, but he seemed to be front and center in her mind. Reminding herself that he did live and work right across the street, she chalked up this preoccupation with the cute preacher to being in such close proximity to him. Hard not to think about him when the pretty white church stood as a reminder every time she looked out the window.

So she pulled her car into the drive and geared up for a warm, soothing bath and a bowl of ice cream. Yes, she’d been craving ice cream all week. His fault, too. But she’d had a long day of talking to lawyers and discussing things on the phone with Realtors both here in Millbrook and at the various properties she now owned in Alabama.

Overwhelmed, she glanced back toward the church.

And saw Rory heading straight for her.

She almost ran into the house, but her heart stopped her. She couldn’t be rude to the man. He’d been nothing but kind to her. The least she could do was say hello to him.

Hello. And then on to ice cream.

“Hi,” he called when she turned and waved. Then he walked over. Did he seem relieved?

“Hello,” she replied, smiling. “How are you?”

“Good. I’m calling it a day,” he said. His dark blond hair was in a perpetual state of shagginess, but it suited him. “I’m going kayaking. Wanna come?”

Kayaking? The thought of putting on shorts and a sleeveless top made her cringe. The sun had not touched her legs all winter. Did she have the nerve to actually relax and go for a ride on the lake? With him?

He must have sensed her hesitation. “I’m sorry. You’re probably really busy.”

She glanced at the glistening water and then gazed at him. “I’ve been going nonstop all day dealing with my inheritance, but that water looks so tempting.”

And so did he. Not what you’d expect. Better than ice cream even.

“I have an extra kayak. It’s actually Alec’s, but he won’t mind if you want to use it. He stores it over here so some of the kids I mentor can borrow it.”

“You mentor kids?”

He nodded and looked sheepish. “Yes. Mostly teens. We have a get-together here at the church once a week. Anyone is invited, but some of the kids are in foster homes.”

“Wow.” She only wished she’d had a safe place to go when she was a teen. “That’s a good idea.”

He smiled at her comment. “They need someone to talk to at times. They come with their guardians or foster parents, but we team each kid up with a mentor. Supervised, of course.”

“That’s good. That they’re able to talk to someone and that it’s supervised.”

He went quiet for a couple of moments. “Listen, if you don’t want to go—”

He was talking about kayaking, but he must have seen the darkness in her eyes. Pushing aside the flare of distant painful memories, she gave him a weak smile.

“Let me get inside and change,” she said, making a snap decision she hoped she wouldn’t regret. “I haven’t been kayaking in a while so I might slow you down, but yes, I’d like to take a ride around the lake.”

“Good. I’ll go get the kayaks ready. You can meet me at the boat landing.”

“Okay.” Vanessa hurried into the house, her mind buzzing with good and bad thoughts. She didn’t want to group Rory in the same category as her mother’s ex-husband, but how could she not think about it? She’d been a troubled teen, and her so-called stepfather had pretended to be her mentor.

And yet he’d betrayed her in the worst way.

Would Rory do that?

No. Because for one thing, Vanessa was a grown woman now. Stronger and more assertive. No longer afraid to stand up to people.

Rory Sanderson wasn’t anything like Gregory Pardue. Not at all. Thank goodness.

And yet when she came back outside, Vanessa felt a shiver moving down her spine. Was she making a mistake, getting to know the preacher?

She looked up at the sky and for the first time in years, she asked God to protect her heart. Because she didn’t want to be wrong about Rory.

Chapter Six

She’d found a pair of old cutoff jeans and rolled them up over her knees. A sleeveless cotton blouse covered the shorts. Swallowing her trepidations, Vanessa walked the short distance to the lake’s boat landing near the marina and boardwalk. The sun felt good on her skin, and the sound of seagulls flying overhead reminded her that summer was coming.

She saw Rory waiting with the two kayaks. He waved and she waved back. He had on shorts and an old T-shirt. He was much darker than her, which showed he got outside more than she did.

Not the pasty-skinned pallor she considered more minister type. But then, Rory shattered all of her notions regarding preachers. He looked as if he belonged on a California beach instead of here, standing by two kayaks and waiting on her.

“You ready for this?” he asked, sincerity in his blue eyes.

“Yes. I’ll probably regret it tomorrow—sore muscles—but I need to get out and get some exercise. Moving boxes and going through closets and cabinets doesn’t count as a fun way to get in shape.”

He gave her a quick once-over. “You know how to kayak, right?”

She thought she remembered. “Yes. Love it.”

He motioned her to where he had the kayaks pulled up in the shallow water by the concrete landing. “We can do this at the dock or I’ll hold yours while you get in.”

“I can get in here,” she said, glancing around to make sure no one would see her if she fell headfirst into the shallow water. “Or at least I’m going to try.”

Rory took her hand while he held the bright blue kayak steady with his foot. “Okay, sit and turn.”

Vanessa tried to ignore the warmth of his fingers holding hers. He had a strong, secure grip. “Like a lady getting into a car,” she said on a nervous laugh.

“Sorta.” He grinned and held on to her while she plopped down into the low, narrow watercraft. “See, you’re in.”

“Yes, now I have to get my legs in, too.” She turned forward, her water shoes intact.

Once she was settled, he handed her the paddle. Vanessa wondered how he’d manage getting inside his red kayak, but he slid in with the ease of someone who was a born athlete. She noticed his muscular arms and broad shoulders. What else would she notice about this man?

Too many things, she decided.

As they glided out onto the lake, Vanessa worked to keep up with Rory, having no doubt that he was purposely going slow to stay with her. But they laughed and talked as they paddled around the big oval body of water. The ducks and geese squawked and fussed as they glided by. People waved from the shore, some of them calling out to Rory.

Spring was in full bloom, showing off in the dappled sunlight. Azaleas lush with pink-and-white flowers clustered underneath the tall pines and old oaks. Crape myrtles along the streets were bursting with tiny blossoms that were beginning to bud in hot pink and deep purple. The old magnolias hung heavy with huge white petals. The green fronds on tall palms danced in the wind, the sound of their frenzy sending out a steady swish, swish. The whole lake smelled like a fragrant, earthy garden.

With the wind in her face and the sun warm on her skin, Vanessa relaxed and remembered the short time she’d spent here in Millbrook Lake so many years ago. Her last couple of years of high school had been spent here. Marla had been one of her friends back then.

Marla was trying to be a friend to her now.

And so was Rory.

“How you doing?” he asked as he paddled close.

“Fine.” She held her oar still and smiled over at him. “This is really nice.”

Nice. That small word, usually so boring, was fast becoming her favorite expression.

“Anytime you want to go for a spin, let me know,” he said, his eyes bright with expectation.

Vanessa nodded and wished she could feel that same hope. But she’d given up on hoping or expecting a long time ago. The best she could manage was a day-to-day positive feeling that involved her work. She’d learned to take care of herself since she’d left Millbrook Lake, and that accomplishment kept her going. Her life involved salvaging vintage clothes and items and reselling them to like-minded people. Which was odd, considering how long she’d been running from her past.

Or maybe she clung to old things so she could hang on to the little bit of good in her past. No matter. She knew what would be in her future. She’d be alone. By choice. She couldn’t risk messing things up with someone the way her mother had. Over and over.

Clearing those cobwebs out of her head, she gave Rory a quick nod. “Thanks. I won’t have much time, but I need to remember what a special place this is. The lake and the town—it’s all like a picture book.”

He drifted closer. “Oh, it looks pretty but we’re all living our lives, day by day. Reality can set in at any time. But I can’t complain.”

“Are you trying to burst my bubble?” she asked, surprised that he’d made such a pointed observation. Where had Mr. Feel Good gone?

He gave her a perplexed glance. “No, not at all. But you know how it goes. This is a great place to live, no doubt about that. But it’s our state of mind that adds those little nuances and warm, fuzzy feelings to our lives.”

“Oh, so we’re discussing that now, are we?” She started paddling again. “My state of mind is in a constant state of turmoil.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that,” he said, pulling up beside her again. “I was trying to say it had more to do with me than you. I didn’t mean for it to sound so corny.”

She doubted that. He was usually so happy-go-lucky, even the ducks liked him. “And what could you possibly have to be negative about, Preacher?”

He didn’t answer right away. Which made her only want to know everything about him. Finally, he said, “More than you’d realize. But you’re right. I know better than to preach to someone who’s been through enough already. I’m sorry.”

Since she’d never heard a negative tone in his voice before, she glanced over to check on him. He looked dejected and brooding. Different. Definitely human.

“No, I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m a little prickly these days. I know you mean well, and I should appreciate how you aren’t trying to gloss over things. This isn’t Disneyland, after all. I mean, look what Marla went through after her first husband died. And Alec, coming home with wounds that almost turned him into a recluse. Blain and Rikki were almost killed a few months ago. I really don’t have it that bad, after all.”

“Neither do I,” he said. “Look, I want to get to know you, all preacher talk aside. I don’t want to preach to you. I want to...talk to you.”

“I like talking,” she admitted. “Even when I’m down and grumpy.”

“You’re grieving. Sometimes being still and listening is the best thing for that.”

“Now that is good advice,” she said with a wry smile. “Truce?”

“Truce,” he said. “I need to listen to my own advice.”

“Race you to the other side of the lake,” she said, taking off in a whirl of paddles and water. Trying to get away from the intimacy of their conversation, too.

Soon they were laughing and calling out to each other. Relieved that they’d gotten past that sticky moment, Vanessa still wondered when this sweet man had been through any kind of turmoil.

They turned back toward the landing just as the sun began to set behind the tree line. Rory hopped out first and tried to help her, but she was up and dragging her kayak close to the shore before he could make a move. When she slipped and almost went down in the muddy shallows, he took her by both hands and lifted her up, his hands moving to her elbows to steady her.

Their eyes met as she came face-to-face with him.

“Thanks,” Vanessa said, her breath leaving her body. It had been a long time since she’d felt such a buzz of awareness with a man. And their conversation out there on the lake had only added to that feeling. Something about that little dent in his armor had endeared Rory to her.

“You’re welcome.” His eyes went a deep sky blue, showing her his awareness of the ripple moving over them like a current. “As I said, anytime.”

“I... I’d better get home,” she said, pulling away to steady herself. “I’ve still got lots to do.”

Rory tugged the kayaks away from the landing. “Okay.”

“Do you need help? I can carry one of these.”

“No. I can’t make you carry these heavy things.”

“I don’t mind.” She flexed her arms. “I’m not helpless, you know.”

He swept her with an appreciative look. “Yes, I’ve noticed that, but I’ve got it.” Then, he grinned. “I enjoyed having someone to tour the lake with. And to talk to.”

“Me, too.” She turned to go, feeling as if she’d done something wrong. Her abrupt nature could scare anyone away.

“Hey?”

She whirled. “Yes?”

“You’re welcome to come to Youth Night if you’d like. I can always use volunteers, especially female volunteers. We get a lot of girls in, and they don’t want to open up to a male minister.” He shrugged. “It’s a tough gig, but we’re always looking for mentors.”

Vanessa’s heart started racing. She felt even more winded than she had after kayaking around the lake. “I... I’ll have to think about that and let you know. I’m not sure I’ll be here long enough to get involved.”

“Okay. But even attending a few meetings can make a world of difference for someone.” He gave her one of his dazzling grins. “We order pizza and sometimes watch movies.”

“Sounds like fun.” Or something she couldn’t deal with.

After thanking him again, she escaped to the darkness of the house, shutting the door and leaning back against it. Closing her eyes, Vanessa wished she’d had a better answer than a stumbling, halting maybe. Could she be any more obvious?

But being around troubled teens? Did she want to live through that kind of turmoil again? Even if she wasn’t the one going through it?

She’d have to really think hard on how to handle that request. With each invitation, Rory was also drawing her in more and more.

In spite of that, she liked him. A lot. But she did not like the idea of getting involved in church. At all.

“What should I do?” she asked the darkness. “What should I do?” she asked God.

She remembered when she’d been alone and frightened, with no one to talk to because she was so afraid no one would believe her. Her own mother hadn’t believed her, so why would anyone else?

What if one girl out there needed a friend, someone she could trust?

It doesn’t have to be me.

But why shouldn’t it be you?

Going to the refrigerator, she found a bottle of water and opened it and took a long drink. Why not her? What else did she have to do besides go through this sad, cluttered house and then leave town once it was sold?

No commitment. Just a helping hand.

She could do this. She needed to do this.

Even if she’d vowed never to have children of her own, she might be able to help a teenager at least. Now she’d have to find the courage to take those few steps to the church doors.

* * *

Rory checked the snack table. Mr. and Mrs. Peppermon had outdone themselves tonight. The couple fostered two of the teens who attended Youth Night, and they always insisted on helping with the food, too. In spite of their tight budget and dealing with their grandchildren’s busy schedules, they loved helping out at the church. Devoted. They were devoted.

Rory thanked the Lord for that.

“Hello.”

He turned to find Miss Fanny ambling into the small gathering room at the back of the church. “Hey, there. What are you doing here?”

“I was in the neighborhood,” she said, coy. “I made some oatmeal cookies, and I can’t possibly eat all of them. Thought the kids might enjoy them.”

Rory gave her a hug. “Of course they’ll love your cookies. And you can visit with them and have dinner with us since you live in the neighborhood.”