Page 10 of Muskoka Blue
He grew aware of the buzz of nearby conversation and turned to see a young boy—who looked the spitting image of Dan’s brother Sam fifteen years ago—holding a hockey card and a nervous smile. He smiled, signed and briefly chatted, all the while conscious of regret kneading within. The boy looked to be the same age as what his own—
“Thanks, Mr. Walton!” The kid beamed, then hurried to a waiting man and woman who offered Dan a wave, which he returned as Sarah slipped back into her seat and sighed.
“You know I didn’t expect you to pay for my coffee.”
“Who says I did?”
He blinked.
“Don’t worry.” Her mouth twisted. “I paid for yours as well, especially since you’re only here because of my little breakdown before.”
Yeah, that. He’d known cramps before, but her episode had seemed next level. He wanted to ask but figured she’d think it rude. Even if she seemed to have recovered now.
“Hey, can I ask you a question?” she continued.
“You just did.”
She raised a brow at his pathetic humor. Guess that didn’t even rate an okay. “What makes a guy like you do Pilates?”
“A guy like me?” He placed his cup on the table. “You’ll have to tell me what you mean by that.”
“I just mean—”
“I’m sorry,” Ange said, returning, brow pleated. “That was John. It seems the husband of one of the congregation has been taken to hospital, and Patty needs to be driven there immediately.” Ange looked at him apologetically. “I’m sorry to ask, but Dan, would you mind taking Sarah home?”
Sarah shot him a look before turning to her aunt. “I don’t mind going with you—”
“I’m afraid I really don’t know how long this will take. Henry’s been sick for a while, and I suspect I’ll be caught up for hours.”
“I don’t mind,” he said. The engagement ring made it safe.
“Thank you,” Ange said, visibly relieved.
“I’ll take care of dinner.” Sarah rose to give her aunt a hug.
“Thanks, Sarah. And thank you, Dan. See you later.”
He watched Ange leave, then turned back to see Sarah studying him warily. The ease had gone, replaced by almost palpable tension.
He gestured to her half-eaten brownie. “You nearly ready to go?”
She pushed aside the plate and rose. “I’m ready now.”
They moved to the resort entrance, and he nodded to Serena Williamson, the resort’s assistant events manager he’d met a few times before. A toddling boy raced inside as a mother maneuvered her baby’s stroller through the revolving glass doors, only to trip and let out a loud scream.
Sarah crouched and picked the boy up, soothing him. “Hey, it’s okay.”
The woman hurried forward and reprimanded her son before sighing and thanking Sarah.
“No worries,” Sarah said before giving the little boy a wave as the trio moved away.
Another glance at Sarah showed her smile had faded and she was gnawing her lip, strain on her face. He knew a strange twist of sympathy.
“Ready?”
She nodded, following him to his Jeep.
He steered onto the road that would take them to Gravenhurst. The dark green of the black spruce flashed by, and he admired the fancy fretwork of leaves arching across the road, filtering the high summer sun. Muskoka at this time of year was beautiful. He smiled to himself. Actually, Muskoka at any time of year was beautiful. “Anything you need to do, seeing we’re passing through town?”