Wildest Dreams (Thunder Point #9)(32)

Iris had grown up next door to the Sileski family and last year married the love of her life, Seth, the youngest of three boys. Norm had owned the gas station in town, sold it a couple of years ago, but he still went to work every day. He said Eric, the new owner, needed him. Whether or not that was true was questionable. The more likely truth was he wasn’t going to waste his time and talent on bingo and cruises with his wife. He didn’t play golf, there wasn’t anywhere he particularly wanted to go and he liked his routine. He had seen the merit of selling the station while he could get a good price, however.

“I hope Gwen doesn’t live to regret it,” Grace said.

“Try to imagine being held captive on a ship with Norm for over a week! I think Gwen should have been more careful what she prayed for. But for just a moment last night, when Gwen opened her card and got happy tears in her eyes, Norm’s expression was downright sweet.” Then she shook her head. “But he recovered quickly.”

Iris pulled out a chair across from where Grace was working. “How are you feeling?”

“Great. You?”

“All right. But I wanted to ride my bike to school and Seth had a fit so I’m driving. I guess he has a point—if I fell, it wouldn’t be good. I was always awkward to start with. Now I’m a total tripper.”

“Well, now that you mention it, my ankles are already getting fat. And I have a backache. But what should I expect when I’m standing all day.”

“Grace, what are you going to do without Ginger?”

“I ran a couple of ads but have only had one call so far and she didn’t sound qualified. Ginger spoiled me—she stepped into this shop and ran it. So this time instead of advertising for an assistant, I’m looking for a manager. I suppose that means I’ll be giving her most of the income from the shop but at least I can take time off to have the baby and get days off here and there.” She sighed. “The hours are going to have to change. No more of this all-day-all-week jazz. Now all I have to do is find someone half as decent as Ginger.”

“With Winnie, a baby and your own business...”

“I know. Things will have to change somewhere...”

“I thought Ginger would be here at least another six months,” Iris said.

“It’s that loft. It’s a love nest. First me, then Ginger and Matt.”

“Have you warned Lin Su?” Iris asked.

“Warned me of what?” Lin Su asked, just coming in the front door.

Iris and Grace exchanged looks, then burst into laughter. “The loft—someone cast a spell on it,” Grace said. “Once a man and woman are alone together up there they tend to fall in love. So if you have plans that don’t include love and all its hassles, be careful who you invite upstairs to spend a little time.”

“Oh, thanks for the warning!”

“Um, was that a genuine thank-you or do you have someone in mind for the spell?”

“Me? Oh, hell, no! But I’ll be sure Charlie isn’t alone with a girl up there!”

“Come on,” Grace said. “What about your love life? Or at least your fantasies!”

Lin Su shook her head. “Not on your life. I’ve not only been too busy for a love life, I don’t even have time for fantasies. It’s me and Charlie.”

“Aw, that seems kind of lonely,” Grace said.

“It might be lonely for Charlie, but not for me. I’m afraid he’s the only guy I’m willing to take a chance on.”

“You know what the problem is,” Iris said to Grace. “We’re off wine, that’s the problem.”

“We used to meet here once in a while just to catch up. I kept a nice white wine chilled in the cooler, a couple of glasses in my office. It was usually the two of us but if someone else wandered in for a chat with wine, they never left here without telling the whole story.”

Iris leaned her head on her hand. “I miss those days...”

Lin Su laughed. “They’ll be back, ladies. I have to run upstairs to get something. I have a meeting with Scott.”

“Is it about Mother?” Grace asked.

“No, no—I wouldn’t meet with him about your mother and not tell you, you know that. Charlie had a couple of breathing tests and the results are in. I want to get my folder of his medical records.”

* * *

Lin Su usually carried the briefcase of records around with her as if it was a baby. There were always copies of records somewhere, but she feared losing her own file. And thank God she was so protective—she might’ve lost them in that madness of the destruction of her trailer.

But with the loft, she had no fear of such calamity and kept her briefcase next to the desk in the bedroom.

Lin Su had told a little white lie. There was always time for a fantasy or two. She’d had an attraction here and there over the years but not so much as a date. When the man you love and believe in offers you enough money to terminate your pregnancy, it’s a slap in the face that doesn’t go away quickly. Plus, Lin Su often worked two jobs or was between jobs. And there was always Charlie—there was very little time for socializing. When the opportunity did present itself, she often found herself with people who had children close to the same age or with nurses she worked with.

She’d had a brief fantasy about Dr. Grant, as a matter of fact. She was working in the Bandon hospital, he was on call and Charlie had a bad cold. Scott was always so encouraging, so positive, and there was the small matter that he was handsome and fun. With her usual great timing, she recognized her little crush just shortly before Scott announced he’d found a great new physician’s assistant. When Lin Su saw the way Scott looked at Peyton, she knew he was off the market.