AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Eighteen
Lindsay
I was so surprised when Shanda called to invite me to lunch. At first, I thought she wanted me to drive all the way to Hope Valley, which I wouldn’t mind, but depending on traffic it could be almost a two-hour drive. Not something I really enjoyed doing on my own. Samantha had offered to accompany me, but I didn’t need her saying anything I didn’t want Shanda to know.
When I entered the café, Shanda waved me down. “Hi, thanks so much for meeting me.”
“It’s my pleasure. What brings you to Boston?” I asked.
“Kenneth has a meeting today and I didn’t really feel like sitting in the apartment all day doing nothing.”
“I thought you guys lived in Hope Valley?”
Shanda nodded. “Most of the time we do, but Kenneth kept his apartment here for when he has business that’s likely to take more than one day. Since we had the family Sunday brunch yesterday, it was just easier to spend the night here in Boston.”
I knew that was where Phillip had been yesterday, but he hadn’t mentioned it to me. Tempting as it may be, I wasn’t about to ask Shanda. Making sure to stay off that subject, I said, “It’s a lot quieter in Hope Valley.”
“God, yes. I love sitting on the deck at night and listening to the frogs in the pond across the street. Many people would find that boring, but to me, it’s like music.”
“’Ribbit ribbit’ doesn’t sound like music to me,” I said.
She laughed. “You’re such a city girl. They don’t really sound like that. They make a variety of sounds, squeaks, and squeals. Some even think those sounds are crickets, but it’s thousands of frogs.”
Definitely not what I thought she’d want to talk about, but there were plenty of worse topics. “Seems like you have a peaceful place there.”
“Does that mean you’re going to come back for a visit?” she asked.
“I’d love to.”
“When?” she pressed.
I smiled. “I don’t know my schedule very far in advance, but I promise, when I have some free time, I’ll come to you and we can have lunch in your neck of the woods.” I meant that. Besides being Phillip’s sister-in-law, I liked her as a person. Shanda was warm, friendly, and genuine. Someone I’d like to call a friend.
“Oh, please don’t tell me you’re a workaholic like the Heart men are. If so, we’ll never be able to get together! That would be a real disappointment. Anne wants to join us, and you haven’t even met Reanna, who is dating Jerry.”
“Jerry?” I had no idea who that was.
“That’s one of Phillip’s brothers. I get them all mixed up myself. Let’s see if I can remember the order. Phillip is the oldest, which makes it easy. Then there’s…” She tapped her chin, unsure. “Oh, it’s Jerry, he’s two years younger. Then…Andrew, who you met in New Hampshire. Oh, goodness, this is tough. Richard, he’s a hard one to read, but you’ll like him. Of course, my hubby comes next, and then the baby of the family, Clark. When you meet him, get ready. You never know what’s coming out of his mouth. He’s pretty much the wild one, if I am calling it right. You know, still into the club scene and stuff. Good luck to the woman who gets him,” she laughed.
“I’m a firm believer that there is someone for everyone,” I stated.
“And is Phillip your someone?” she asked.
Damn. I walked right into that.“I really enjoy my time with him.”
Shanda looked at me and said, “That’s it? Nothing more?”
“What do you want to hear?” I asked.
“How you feel.”
I didn’t know Shanda well enough to share with her what I haven’t even shared with Samantha. “We haven’t discussed our feelings yet.” That was as honest I could be.
“Maybe it’s time.”
“Or maybe he’s not sure I’m the one for him,” I blurted, wishing I could take it back.
Shanda reached across the table and covered my hand with hers. “Lindsay, from what Kenneth told me, Phillip’s never brought a woman around the family. What you two have is different.”
