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Alison and Catherine’s funeral had been full of flowers. So many flowers...
He hadn’t been able to look at them the same way ever since. To him, they symbolized pain and grief.
He cleared his throat and forced away the thought. He was there; he needed to try to relax and enjoy the evening. Which was not a date in his mind and he hoped he could softly, gently explain that to Ann once Tess wasn’t within earshot.
The food cooking in her kitchen did smell amazing and his stomach growled as the scent of meat and cheese and peppers reached him.
Ann laughed, hearing his stomach. “That’s a good sign, at least. Food’s ready. I’ll just pop these into a vase of water and we can eat,” she said.
Surprisingly, dinner went better than he could have hoped. The food was delicious and it seemed they both kept the conversation and spotlight on Tess. They talked about camp and all the things she was learning. They talked about her upcoming birthday and the kind of party she wanted to have—a backyard inflatable bouncy castle, to Oliver’s relief. They chatted about Ann and Tess’s shared passion for the Discovery Channel and all things Shark Week, and Oliver was truly relaxed by the end of the meal. Ann had been friendly, but not flirty, and she too hadn’t seemed to want to discuss anything too private or deep.
Sitting on the outdoor deck, furnished with a wicker table set and decorated with tiny lantern string lights to set a nice, cozy atmosphere, Oliver and Ann sipped on wine after dinner. Her home backed onto a small lake, which she’d turned into a private observation area to study more basic water species. It was quiet and peaceful as the sun set over the surrounding wilderness and Oliver could definitely understand the appeal of living there.
“Can I go feed the fish in your lake?” Tess asked.
Ann nodded. “Of course. The feed is in that bucket. Just be careful if the water’s edge is muddy. I wouldn’t want you to slip and dirty your dress.”
Tess nodded. “I will.” She grabbed the bucket and hurried off toward the water. Oliver watched as she tossed some food into the lake, but he saw her keeping one eye on them. Obviously, she was hoping if she left them alone, they might start to connect on a different level. His daughter was sneaky.
“She really loves marine life,” Ann remarked with a chuckle. “She reminds me so much of myself at that age.”
Oliver turned in his chair to look at her. “You always knew you wanted to be a marine biologist?” he asked. A safe enough topic.
“Since I was five years old and my parents took me to Hawaii on vacation. We went to the aquarium, and then diving, and I was hooked.”
Oliver nodded, sipping the wine.
“I guess your future was predetermined as well?” Ann asked.
“In a way, yeah. I mean, I could have done something different. But this felt right at the time.”
Ann studied him. “At the time?”
Oliver sighed. She’d caught that. How much did he want to reveal? Talking to Ann felt nice, comfortable, but he wasn’t sure opening up about anything serious or personal was the right way to convey this wasn’t a real date and wasn’t leading anywhere beyond friendship. “I’m not sure it’s the right fit anymore...but I don’t know.”
She nodded her understanding. “I’m glad you came over. You and Tess,” she said. “It gets kinda lonely and quiet out here.”
His chest tightened slightly. “Ann, I—”
“But I have to tell you, Oliver, I’m not interested in a relationship.”
His mouth gaped. She wasn’t? Well, why had she invited them to dinner? He was relieved, but he’d been planning to be the one to break that news. Now this felt slightly awkward.
“I’m sorry, but Tess kinda...”
“Guilted you into inviting us for dinner?” he asked in wry amusement. He should have known. “Let me guess. She told you I liked you and that I was lonely.”
Ann laughed as she nodded. “Yep. I take it you got the same pitch?”
“I got that you thought I was cute. Tess caught a vibe.”
Ann laughed and then covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh—you are definitely cute, but there was no vibe.”
Oliver sagged against the cushions in relief. They’d been bamboozled by his daughter. Ann wasn’t interested in a relationship with him either. For the first time that evening, he really settled in to enjoy himself. Pressure off, he even kicked off his sandals and crossed his ankles.
“Truth is, I’m seeing someone,” Ann said, lowering her voice.
“Really? Who?” Port Serenity was a small enough town that if the doctor had been dating, there would be chatter. Everyone thought of her as a brilliant but slightly neurotic doctor. Most men in town were intimidated by her. Man, he hoped some dude wasn’t going to show up and read the situation wrong.
