Page 42 of Patio Lanterns

“I won’t, promise.”

“Start tomorrow,” Mrs. Crawley said. “Store opens at eight.”

“Then I’ll be here at seven-fifty,” Robin told her. “Thank you. I promise, you won’t regret it.”

“Child, wait,” Mrs. Crawley stopped her, holding out the stack of envelopes, circulars, and magazines held together by a thick rubber band. “Don’t forget your mail.”

Robin’s eyes widened as she accepted the hefty bundle. “You’ve got to be kidding. All this was for my mom?”

“Along with whatever else is in the mailbox out front. Number seven.”

It must’ve been quite some time since anyone remembered to check the mail at the lake. Usually, her mother had mail temporarily forwarded to the cottage over the summer, but in the sudden onset of her illness, it must’ve been forgotten and continued to accumulate.

Robin went to the row of mailboxes and wiggled the key into the seventh slot. She began emptying the box of its wedged-tight contents on top of the pile already in her arms.

“Expecting a little mail today?”

Robin looked up, and her heart skipped a beat. Rick.

He smiled down at her. “Hi.”

“Hey, you.” She smiled back, just as the slick stack toppled and slipped from her grasp. He reached out and caught it before any hit the floor.

“Oh thank you,” she said, rebalancing what few pieces she was left holding.

He grabbed a shopping basket and loaded all of the letters and magazines into it. “No problem. Is all of this for you?”

“Mom. I didn’t realize she had so much that hadn’t been picked up,” she explained. “What are you doing here?”

“I stopped by earlier, but the mail hadn’t come. Thought I’d check again before heading over to your place. Aidan and I are measuring the kitchen cupboards for new cabinet doors.”

“Perfect timing. I was out delivering flyers about Mom’s celebration of life, so I walked over,” she said, nibbling her bottom lip. “If you’re going my way, I’d love a ride.”

“I’d love to give you one,” he growled with a naughty gleam in his eye. By the way Rick was now eyeing her up it seemed like he’d changed his mind about seeing her again.

“So…” she said, her heart fluttering, “are we good?”

“Yeah, we’re good. You gave me a lot to think about last night.” He winked.

She batted her lashes innocently. “Did I now?”

“Let’s just say you got your point across.” He smiled. “You’re only here for a short time, so maybe we should make the most of that. After all, it would be a shame for us to waste a perfectly good connection.”

“A crying shame,” she said, her heart doing cartwheels.

“And I figure as long as we can be discreet, no one needs to find out, right?”

“It’ll be our little secret,” she told him. “And no more trying to push me at Aidan.”

He smirked. “Aidan who?”

Staring at Rick’s smiling, handsome face was a joy she’d never tire of. Although they’d seen each other the night before, it was as if her eyes had missed him as much as the rest of her.

“I was thinking…” she said at the exact moment he uttered the same words. They both laughed.

“Ladies first,” he said, palm out. “Please.”

“I was thinking we should exchange numbers,” she said. “Being able to text each other could come in handy.”

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