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“Hey,” I call to my sister-in-law as I bounce the ball. “How about a quick game?”
Lita scoffs. “Forget it. Took me over an hour to get ready.”
Abandoning the ball in the grass, I trot over to her. “You nervous?”
Lita looks down at her dress and sandals and takes a deep breath. “A little. My first date in over a decade.”
“No worries. She’ll fall over when she sees you.”
Haven’s twin raises her head. “As long as she recovers in time to take me out to dinner. And maybe dancing too. I miss dancing.”
“How’s the studying going for the high school equivalency test?”
“Slowly.” She adjusts the strap of her dress. “But I’m setting an ambitious goal to take the exam by Christmas. Then maybe I’ll get to go to college. After all the time I spent with physical therapists, I was thinking maybe that’s what I want to do.”
It’s good to hear Lita getting excited about what her future might hold. We’re all trying new things nowadays. I’ve been flooded with job offers; everything from coaching positions to NFL game announcer. I might take one of the announcing gigs. Can’t deny that I really like to run my mouth.
In the meantime, I’ve been staying busy with local charity work. Next week I’m helping with a telethon event for a dog rescue. To make everyone happy, I’ve even extended a peace offering to my aunts and agreed to put in strategic appearances at corporate events.
Haven’s voice drifts from the kitchen. She’s telling Robert not to eat too many snacks because we’ll be having dinner in a little while.
“So what’s my role in this whole date thing?” I ask Lita.
“Your role? You have absolutelynorole, Conner.”
“I’m the protective brother-in-law. I’m supposed to shield your honor. Or something.”
“Dumbass.” But she giggles.
“Last name’s Wiseman. Just don’t take it too literally.”
Lita’s smile fades. She shakes her head. “Actually, Conner, I think you’re the wisest guy alive.”
“I’ll always take a compliment, even if it is unearned.”
“The compliment is not unearned. You’re wise enough to see the best in people. Most importantly, you seeher. You see her even better than I do.”
Haven laughs in the kitchen. If my heart had music, that would be the sound.
Almost without thinking, I touch the gold band on my left hand. I never take it off. “She’s easy to see. Even easier to love.”
Lita nods. “That she is.”
The doorbell chimes and Haven pokes her head outside. “Are you ready?” she asks her sister.
Lita takes a deep breath. “I’m ready. It’s time to get back to the land of the living.”
“Stay here,” says Haven. “I’ll answer the door.”
She disappears and Lita fidgets. She adjusts the strap of her dress and checks out her reflection in the window.
“Don’t look desperate,” I whisper.
She wrinkles her nose and pinches my arm.
Haven returns to the backyard with Fiona Carney. The two of them have been working on a business plan to open up a sports bar. Fiona’s eyes search for Lita and she breaks into a smile that’s almost shy.
“You’re beautiful, Lita,” Fiona says. She holds out a gallant hand. “Shall we?”
