Page 37 of Seaside Bookclub
Sam slipped the cover off carefully and stood back. The top was down, and the leather seats still looked supple and comfortable. The paint was shiny. This time, instead of sad regrets, the sight of the car made his heart lift with happiness. He’d thought good times had died with Jean, but maybe not.
He pressed the button to open the garage door, then took the key from the peg on the wall and held his breath as he slid into the driver’s seat and slipped it into the ignition. It started right up.
“Ready to go for a ride?” he asked Dooley.
The dog ran over to the passenger side. Sam opened the door, and Dooley jumped in.
“Maybe you’d better get in back. There might be a passenger that needs to sit there.”
Dooley’s ears stood up, and he glanced uncertainly at the back seat.
“Go ahead.”
Dooley jumped in back, and Sam opened the garage door and drove out. It was a little chilly for riding around in a convertible, but Sam relished the feeling of freedom and the wind in his hair. Well, what was left of it, anyway.
He took the scenic route, driving along the ocean. When he found himself turning into Bunny’s neighborhood, he had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. Maybe this was a big mistake. She probably wasn’t even home.
But she was home, and she was even outside, pruning the giant rose bush that grew at the corner of her house.
She turned as he pulled in. Her expression wasn’t exactly as he’d hoped. She looked surprised but not happy to see him.Oh no! This was a huge mistake.She probably thought he was a foolish old man with a midlife crisis car. He wished he could back out and speed off, but it was too late. She was coming over to the car.
“Sam?” She peered into the car.
He gulped. “Want to go for a ride?”
She stared at him for a few more seconds, and he felt like sinking down into the seat and disappearing. Then her face cracked into a wide smile.
“I love convertibles! Of course I want to go for a ride! Whoop!” She ripped off her gloves and threw them onto the lawn. He got out to open the passenger door for her, but she practically vaulted into the car.
“You never told me you had a convertible,” Bunny said.
“I haven’t told you a lot of things. But I think we have plenty of time for that.”
“I certainly hope so.” She put her hand over his on the console, and he looked over at her. Her sparkling bright eyes were full of promise. He smiled and eased the car out of the driveway.
As he drove off, Dooley stuck his head between the two front seats. He put his chin on top of their hands, and all three of them knew it was the start of something good.
