It Started With Joy by Cindy Kirk

Author:Cindy Kirk [Kirk, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 48152596
Publisher: Waverly House
Published: 2019-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Rachel pulled into the parking lot of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, wondering if she’d ever really know what made little girls tick. Since Joy had first come to stay with her, Rachel had tried to interest the eight-year-old in going through the museum without success. Then two minutes ago they were driving down Highway 89 when the girl practically jumped out of her seat insisting she really, really, really wanted to stop.

“It’s a cool place.” Rachel stepped from the vehicle. “I think you’ll like—”

“C’mon,” Joy called, already halfway up the sidewalk. “Let’s get inside.”

Although the air held a bite, it wasn’t that cold. Still Rachel hustled inside. Once she’d paid for their admission, Joy grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “There’s someone, ah, something we need to see.”

Rachel stopped, now thoroughly confused. “You’ve never been here. How do you even know what you’re looking for?”

Joy hesitated. “Addie comes here with her mom and dad all the time.”

Ah, now it made sense.

“Honey, just because Addie saw something here doesn’t mean we’ll be able to see it, too. They have what are called ‘traveling’ exhibits that—”

“If I didn’t know better I’d think you two were following me.”

Rachel’s breath caught in her throat at the familiar baritone. She whirled. “Derek.”

She’d expected to see paintings and photographs and bronze sculptures in the beautiful building made of native rock. She hadn’t expected to see him. For whatever reason, Joy didn’t seem as surprised.

He rocked back on his heels looking incredibly appealing in his dark pants and a sweater. “What brings you here on a Thursday afternoon?”

After her conversation with her friends, Rachel had considered calling him, but that seemed more of a “I want a relationship with you” than “I want to be friends.” She’d hoped they’d run into each other. Now that they had, she wasn’t going to blow the opportunity.

“Joy wanted to see an exhibit that Addie mentioned to her.” Rachel smiled warmly. She should tell him she’d changed her mind. This was the opportunity. But the desire coursing through her veins at his nearness was…disturbing. The reaction seemed a little too strong for a friend.

Derek shifted his attention to Joy. “What exhibit did you come to see?”

The girl took a step to the side and pointed in no specific direction. “Just, ah, one back there. I’ll look for it while you and Rachel talk.”

She slipped past him and didn’t stop or turn around even when Rachel called her name.

“Kids.” Rachel shook her head and chuckled.

“It’s a great museum. I enjoyed going through it.” He glanced at his watch.

“Are you leaving?” She did her best to keep the disappointment from her voice.

“I’m skiing Snow King at one-thirty.”

“With Travis?”

“Actually a friend is in town for the day and wanted to get together.” His voice took on a teasing tone. “I do have more than one friend, you know.”

Rachel swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. “Boyfriend? Or girlfriend?”

“Matt and I played ball together in college.”

Although she told herself it didn’t matter, her knees went weak with relief.

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