He frowned. “I hope this has nothing to do with how you look. My sister always worried about that, and, like her, you’re beautiful.”
Misty’s cheeks felt hot as she let the cover-up fall. Silently, she laid her beach towel out on the rock’s surface and sat down. Staring out at the water, she remained quiet.
David put a hand on her shoulder. “Anytime you want to talk about it, I’m here. I’m a good listener.”
She turned to him. “Thanks. I thought I was doing okay until something happened recently.”
Taylor’s arrival ended their conversation, but Misty felt as if David’s comforting words had wrapped around her like a protective embrace.
###
Throughout the morning, more and more people arrived. Only Dirk with his dental patients, Emmett with his medical practice, and Nick as sheriff were tied to their jobs. Most everyone else had enough time to stop by for lunch or to stay awhile.
Misty appreciated that Mike had picked up Hazel and brought her for lunch.
After lunch, David offered her a ride home, and Misty took it. As nice as it was to swim and sun, she’d had enough.
David was quiet as he drove to her cabin. But after he pulled into the driveway, he said quietly, “Do you feel safe here?”
Misty studied the cabin. “Yes. Thank you for asking.”
He waited for her to say something more, but she couldn’t mention Vince’s name. It would bring back all her past bad memories, and once she started telling him about them, she wouldn’t be able to stop. And she didn’t want to seem weak in David’s eyes.
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning, after a ferocious thunderstorm during the night, Misty decided to forego her walk to the park. She was troubled by her conversations with David. He was aware something bad had happened in her past, but she wasn’t ready to share details with him. When she’d returned to Lilac Lake, she’d still been in a state of shock while she’d talked to Crystal and Emmett about it. She’d seen a counselor and had thought she was learning how to deal with everything Vince had put her through. Now, she knew she still had some underlying issues to resolve. It would take work, but she had to do it no matter how painful it was.
###
A few days later, David called. “I’m wondering if you’d like to come to dinner at my parent’s house on Sunday. My mother specifically asked me to invite you.”
Misty was intrigued by the short conversation she’d had with his mother. “Thanks. I’d like that. What time do you want me there?”
“I’ll pick you up at five. All right?”
“Yes. That’s fine. I’ll be ready.”
“I’ve been wanting to call you, but one of our guys quit, and I’ve been busy doing the landscaping myself for a house at The Meadows. Will I see you at Jake’s tonight?”
“Yes. It’s a great way to relax at the end of the day. And I love their salads. An easy dinner.”
“Great. See you there. Remember, we have the softball game on Saturday. You’re on my team.”
“I know. I’m warning you that you may be sorry, but I’ll try my best.” Misty hadn’t played much softball.
“It’ll be fun,” said David. “This time, we’re playing the girls softball team from Dartmouth. We’ll need all the help we can get. Mike will be there, of course, and Ben is coming up from Washington D.C.. But we could only get a couple of girls from the high school team to help us.” Ben Gooding was another former professional baseball player and a friend of Ross’s.
“It’ll all be worth it if it raises money for the sports center,” Misty said.
“I think so, too,” said David. “I have to go, but I’ll see you tonight.”
Misty ended the call and stared at the lesson plans she was working on for her second-grade class. She was anxious to have things in order because she knew the chaos of running a classroom. It is best to be prepared.
Thinking of the school year ahead, Misty wondered how students here might differ from the older students she had taught in Florida. But then, kids were the same everywhere. She was delighted that her students would be from a variety of backgrounds and hard-working families.
###
That night, when she and Hazel were at Jake’s, David approached the table, keeping his eyes on Misty, and she felt a flush of pleasure.
