Willow's Way by Sharon Struth

Author:Sharon Struth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-10-03T15:02:21+00:00

Chapter 15

“You okay?”

Startled by Owen’s voice, Willow jerked her head around to look at him in the van’s driver seat. “Yes. I am. I’m glad Hettie agreed to see us today. How far are we from Bristol?”

“About ten minutes.”

Ten minutes until she’d face someone who might have all the answers her mother had hidden. Willow took a cleansing breath, but it did little to calm the whirlwind bouncing off the walls of her stomach. Much as she wanted answers, a slow reality that they might not be what she wanted to hear sank in.

Owen gave her a short smile then turned back to the road, not an ounce of tension visible anywhere on his body. But he was quieter than usual since he’d picked her up. Was he aware of the elephant in the car, thanks to a near-hit of their lips last night?

Sinatra had set the mood, but it was all Owen’s doing that her dance tension slipped away and she’d melted into his arms. Yup, all his doing. Had she imagined the attraction between them last night? Been mistaken that they’d been about to kiss?

“You seem quiet,” she blurted out, unable to stand one more second of not knowing. “Anything wrong?”

“No.” He glanced her way and smiled, but it didn’t have his usual sparkle. “Are you anxious about talking to Hettie?”

“Hell yeah. You know the expression ‘Be careful what you ask for’?”

He chuckled. “Let’s hope this works out better than that.”

Hope. It was all she had left.

Soon they parked along the street in front of the retirement home, a weatherworn, three-story brick building with mature shrubbery near the entrance. Once inside, they were directed to a cheery lobby with tangerine sofas holding lime-green pillows and light beechwood tables. They sat side by side on the sofa.

After a few seconds, Owen stood. “Come on. Let’s square off and practice our dance steps again.”

“You’re joking.”

“Dead serious.” He offered his hand.

“I guess we can.” She slipped her hand into his and stood. “They probably have good medical care here, in case I break one of your toes.”

He shook his head but the corners of his lips lifted. “We’ll use imaginary dancers in our foursome.”

“And you don’t think that’ll be more of a challenge?”

“Confidence, Rosebud. Confidence.”

He reminded her of the count and they started to dance. The music came à la Owen as he hummed the instrumental they’d used last night.

“Has anyone told you that you have a good voice?”

He stopped humming and placed a finger on her lips. “No talking. Dance.”

With a twinkle in his eyes, he resumed the tune and they performed the steps. Several staff members and residents gathered round to watch. The audience made her self-conscious, but Owen hammed it up for them and his attitude somehow made her relax. The steps came easier today, and she even made it through without a mistake. When they finished, he took her hand and they bowed to the lobby audience.

“Look at you.” He squeezed her hand. “You did it.”

As their eyes met, Owen’s had that same heated glow she’d seen last night.

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