Page 57 of Share with Me

“Good for you.” Ivan was turning to leave when he decided to put the question out on a whim. “What are you doing the next three hours while they’re partying here?”

“I don’t know. Grab lunch, read a book.”

“I know you’re coming for lunch at our house on Monday, but how about let’s do lunch now, too?”

Brinley seemed to study him.

“It’s not a date. We don’t even have to sit at the same table.”

No response.

“Or in the same restaurant.”

Brinley laughed.

“Made you laugh.”

“I’m not even hungry,” Brinley said. “I had a late breakfast.”

“We’ll have a late lunch.”

“You’re stubborn.”

“Persistent.”

“Well…” Brinley stretched the word. “I don’t know if I should leave Aunt Ella. Uh-oh. Lookee there.”

Ivan followed Brinley’s line of vision. There was Aunt Ella sitting at a table glancing repeatedly in the direction of several smiling senior gentlemen. Ivan watched Brinley’s eyes widen at the sight of a man in plaid tweed leaving his seat and heading for Aunt Ella, hat and walking stick and all. It took him a while to get from his table to Aunt Ella’s table, but when he arrived he started chatting with Aunt Ella right away. She seemed completely enthralled as she patted the empty seat next to her. With difficulty and slowness of movement, the man sat down.

“Oh dear,” Brinley said.

“It’s all right.” Ivan chuckled. “That’s Hiram Jacobs. He’s safe.”

“Safe as in how?”

“Safe as in harmless. Hiram’s the perfect gentleman. Lost his wife a few years ago to cancer. Sixty-plus years of marriage.”

“Okay.”

“He lives in the Brunswick Senior Living Community down the road here.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Our church is actively involved there. We bring meals, do activities, spend time with the seniors there. It’s safe.” Ivan touched her arm. “Let’s go before you get too worried.”

“I don’t know…”

“All right.” Ivan sighed. “You can drive my 1945 Chevy truck.”

“You have a 1945 Chevy?”

“Yep.”

“You should meet my dad—uh, what did I say?”

“You want me to meet your dad. I gather he’s into antique cars?”

“Yes—I mean—never mind. So what did you say about your Chevy?”

“I’ll let you drive it.”

“To lunch and back?” Brinley’s eyes widened.

Ivan dangled the car key in front of her eyes.

“You’re very persuasive, Ivan McMillan.” She grabbed the key from him.

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