Page 59 of Skipping Stones

“You know,” Anna began, “if Linney would ever come home, she’d be perfect for Derek. They’ve known each other forever. I bet they could finish each other’s sentences.”

Kirsten looked over at her, her mouth hanging open. “I thought I was the only one who thought that! You’re right, they’d make a great couple. The kids already love her, and imagine what beautiful babies they’d have.” She sighed, to Anna’s amusement. “Of course, that will never happen. Do you suppose they’ve ever thought of each other that way?”

Anna shook her head. “Linney’s never said anything and Danny would have told me if Derek had. I guess it’ll only ever be in our imaginations.”

* * *

“What’s this about a picnic?” Derek asked Linney a week later as he scrolled through his email after putting Leo and Ivy to bed. He’d dodged the raindrops on the way to her place tonight with his laptop and the baby monitor, and they sat in her sunroom, listening to the rain and enjoying each other’s company while they worked.

“A surprise party for Danny. So don’t say anything.” Linney didn’t want him spilling the beans on one of their basketball evenings. “It’s small. Just a few people. You, me, the kids, Kirsten. I think she’s bringing a date.”

“You can be mine,” Derek jested.

“I’d make a pretty bad date. I’m going back soon, remember?”

“No chance I can convince you to stay in Silver Lake?” His eyes danced, teasing her, and knowing that was out of the question.

Linney stood up and looked out into the darkness. “I’ll admit it’s been good to have all this time at the lake. And I’ve loved spending time with you and your kids. But my job is waiting for me. I’ll be back—but never to stay.”

They lapsed into silence, Derek continuing to clean out his inbox and Linney sketching out kitchen ideas. She had a meeting with Danny soon to finalize what she wanted him to do. She’d assured him already that he could do it over the winter when things were slower. She wouldn’t be back until next summer at the earliest.

22

On the day of the picnic, Derek saw Linney head out for her daily paddle. The weather was glorious—perfect for the surprise birthday celebrations—without a cloud in the sky. Ivy had pestered him all morning, so after lunch, he finally gave in and picked up his phone.

Would you like a helper? Ivy wants to cook with you and I have some errands to run.

Send her over—door is open!

Derek had gotten awfully used to having his best friend next door. He watched his daughter skip across the lawn and up onto the porch, and a lump formed in his throat. He wasn’t the only one who would miss Linney when she went back to Damascus in a week. Shaking it off, he called out to Leo, who climbed into the car with him and they headed into town. They picked up ice for the cooler, juice for the kids, and some pop for the adults. Then they headed to the beer store.

“Daddy, what’s Auntie Linney making?” Leo tugged on Derek’s hand as he paid for the beer and coolers.

“Salad, I think. And maybe something from Syria. Why?”

“She makes yummy things.”

Derek nodded, amused at the innocent, but honest, assessment of his culinary skills.

“Do you think she’ll make apple crumble?”

“You can ask her when we get home, okay?”

That satisfied Leo and they packed up the car and headed back. Derek put the drinks in the fridge and the ice in the freezer before he and his son went to Linney’s.

“Knock, knock,” he called out, rapping on her screen door and then opening it.

“In the kitchen,” he heard Linney reply.

She’d made falafel, and Ivy was scooping watermelon with a melon baller, to make salad with feta and mint. Linney had sliced apples and now was making crumble topping.

“Your daughter’s going to need a dip in the lake before we go.”

Derek had to press his lips together to keep from laughing. The kitchen was a mess. Ivy was sticky and pink from the watermelon juice dripping down her shirt—and her face. Beside her, Linney stood in front of her stand mixer. Several strands of hair had escaped from her ponytail and were now hanging down on each side of her face. She looked like she’d had quite an afternoon.

“She’s not the only one,” he joked, using his thumb to wipe flour from her cheek.

Linney flushed. “I’m … I’m not used to having so much help in the kitchen.” She made air quotes around the word help.