Page 81 of Skipping Stones
Boxing Day meant visiting at Danny and Anna’s house. Linney went early to help Anna get ready. When she pulled up in her red SUV, Danny was using the snowblower to clear the sidewalk.
“Merry Christmas!” she called out, and he waved to her. Linney made her way into the house where Emma and Gabby greeted her with hugs and sent her into the kitchen where Anna was pulling a second turkey out of the oven.
“I swear I cook more for Boxing Day than I do for Christmas,” she said. She wiped her hands on her apron and hugged Linney. “I’m so glad you’re here for it this year. It’s been far too long.”
The house soon filled with friends and family and Linney found herself the centre of attention as everyone wanted to know when the store was opening.
“Soon!” she promised. “That’s the best I can do yet. As soon as I have a date, I’ll let you know.
“Auntie Linney, will you need any help at Page Turners?” It was Emma asking. She was turning eighteen this year and was applying for universities.
Linney nodded. “I’ll be putting up a help wanted sign soon. Let me know if you’re interested.” Emma and her sister had been babysitting for Derek for years and Linney knew she was a responsible young lady.
Linney’s eyes drifted to the door as another family came in. She’d been hoping it was Derek. He wasn’t here yet with Leo and Ivy, but she knew he’d taken the kids to see their grandmother at Graceful Care. Kirsten arrived before he did, making her way around the room with Christmas greetings for everyone. When Derek did arrive, he sent the kids downstairs to play under Gabby’s supervision and joined the crowd in the living room.
“Hey, neighbour!” he joked with Linney.
“Hey, yourself!” she replied, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses.
As the afternoon sun started to set, the men drifted to the backyard, where Danny had a bonfire roaring. There was the usual grousing of happily married men about the challenges of marriage and fatherhood, and a lot of jesting about the current curling rankings. Derek listened, but his mind was elsewhere, and his eyes followed Linney as she carefully made her way down the driveway to her SUV when she headed home.
* * *
Danny and Anna collapsed into bed after everyone had gone home and they had cleaned up. Their Boxing Day party was always a lot of fun, but it was also a lot of work.
“I love you,” Danny said, spooning into his wife.
“Speaking of love,” Anna said, “am I imagining things or are there sparks between Derek and Linney? She was clearly waiting for him to get here today, and at church, they looked like a family.”
“I don’t think you’re imagining it. Derek was having a hard time taking his eyes off her today.”
Anna rolled over to face Danny. “I’ve always wondered what would have happened if neither of them had gone away. I hope this works out.”
Danny kissed her. “Just don’t go poking around. Let them come to it themselves.”
“You’re no fun!” she joked, but she rolled over again and he pulled her close. “I guess not everyone can be as happy as us. I love you.”
“Go to sleep, my love.”
* * *
Several days later, after giving Linney a hand at Pager Turners, Anna and Kirsten left her working on the inventory system.
“Want to grab a coffee?” Kirsten asked with a meaningful glance after the door closed behind them.
Anna agreed, and they walked up the street to the café. With cups of hot java in front of them, she asked Kirsten what she wanted to talk about.
“I don’t think they know it yet, but I am sure there’s something starting between Derek and Linney.”
“What makes you think that?” Anna was holding her cards close to her chest.
“Haven’t you seen the way they look at each other? The last couple of times at Page Turners, I’ve caught Linney looking at Derek dreamily. And he’s been so protective of her since she’s been back. Surely you’ve seen that. Maybe Linney is the reason he never puts his whole self into dating.”
Anna laughed. “I totally agree with you. Danny made me promise not to get involved. It would be so great if they would get together. Did you see them on Christmas Eve?”
“It was hard not to from the choir loft. They looked so good together. And the kids adore her. I wonder if there’s anything we can do to help them along.”
“Danny says to leave it be. I’m tempted to agree, as much as I want to help too. They need to figure this out themselves.”