An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [101]
“The flowers respond the way most of us do, don’t you think?” Chase asked.
“How’s that?”
“They respond to life. To the power and force of life. I feel it here and you do, too. It’s like standing on a boulder and looking out over the world and saying, ‘Here I am. I’ve done it.’”
“And what exactly have you done, Chase Goodman?”
He chuckled. “I haven’t figured it out yet, but this feeling is too good to waste.”
She laughed. “I know what you mean.”
They hiked for a couple of hours, and ascended as far as the tree line. The beauty of the hills and valleys was unending, spilling out before them like an Impressionist painting, in vibrant hues of purple, rose and white.
After their hike, they explored the visitor center, then headed back to the car.
Lesley was exhausted. The day had been full and exciting. Over the years, she’d visited Paradise countless times and had always enjoyed herself, but not the way she had today with Chase. With him, she’d experienced a spiritual wonder, a feeling of joy, a new connection with nature. She couldn’t think of a logical way to explain it any more than she could say why his kisses affected her so strongly.
When they arrived back in Seattle, Eric and Kevin, Daisy’s two boys, ran out to the car to greet them.
“Hi, Lesley,” Eric, the oldest boy, said, eyeing Chase.
“Hello, boys. This is Chase.”
Chase cordially shook hands with the youngsters. “Howdy, boys.”
“You’re sure big. Even bigger ’n Lesley.”
Lesley wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not.
“We came to see if you had any cookies left.”
“Mom said you might have some more,” Kevin chimed in.
“Yup, I saved some for you.”
“But don’t forget she made them for me,” Chase said. “You boys should make sure I’m willing to share the loot before you ask Lesley.”
“She used to make them for us. So we’ve got dibs.”
“You gonna share or not?” Kevin asked, hands on his hips, implying a showdown if necessary.
Chase rubbed the side of his jaw as if giving the matter consideration.
“Those boys bothering you?” Daisy shouted from the front door.
“We just want our share of Lesley’s cookies before Chase eats ’em all.”
“I’ll buy you cookies,” Daisy promised, throwing an apologetic look at Lesley. For her part, Lesley was enjoying this exchange, especially the way Chase interacted with the two boys. Tony had treated Daisy’s sons as pests and shooed them away whenever they came around. Although he worked with children, he had little rapport with them outside the classroom.
“We don’t want any store-bought cookies,” Eric argued.
“Don’t try and bake any, either, Mom, not after last time.” He looked at Lesley, and whispered, “Even my friend’s dog wouldn’t eat them.”
Lesley smothered a giggle.
“Will you or won’t you give us some cookies?” Eric demanded of Chase.
Chase himself was having trouble not smiling. “I guess I don’t have much choice. You two have a prior claim and any judge in the land would take that into account.”
“Does that mean he will or he won’t?” Kevin asked his brother.
“He will,” Eric answered. “I think.”
“But only if you help us unload the car,” Chase said, giving them both a few things to haul inside.
Lesley emptied the cookie jar, setting aside a handful for Chase, and doled out the boys’ well-earned reward. While Chase was dealing with the picnic basket, she absently checked her answering machine.
“Lesley, it’s Tony. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately and thought we should get together to talk. April’s out of town this week visiting her mother, so give me a call as soon as you can.”
Lesley felt as if someone had just hit her. Instinctively her hands went to her stomach, and she stood frozen in a desperate effort to catch her breath.
She turned slowly around, not knowing what to do, and discovered Chase standing there, staring at her.
Five
“Well,” Chase said, studying Lesley