Lacey’s faults” a game.
“Okay, you can take my car.” Because the alternative, the motorcycle David had arrived on, was not up for negotiation.
“Mom, we’re riding bikes.”
“You’re not going on his—”
“Bicycles.” David popped in behind Ashley, a glint in eyes that were so identical to his daughter’s that the sight took Lacey’s breath away. “Relax, Mama. Ashley says you have a couple of beach cruisers, and I saw a Wal-Mart right in Fort Myers. It’ll be no problem.”
“Over the causeway?” Yes, she sounded lame, but Lacey had never let Ashley ride that far, even if there was a bike lane. “It’ll be dark before nine and the tires need air and—”
“It’s only six-thirty, Lace,” he said, putting a possessive hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “We’ll pump the tires at a gas station and I’ll take good care of her. I can’t believe she’s never ridden bikes over the causeway. That’s the first thing I’d do if I lived here.”
“No, you’d dive off it.”
He grinned, clearly delighted with the comment. “We’ll work up to that.”
Lacey glared at him. “Not funny.”
“Chill, Mama.”
She gritted her teeth to keep from demanding he stop calling her that.
“I already saved her once today,” he said.
Ashley turned to look up at him, adoration in her gaze. “He’s my hero.”
Oh, puhlease. “Can’t you just stay on the island tonight? Maybe take a drive over the causeway tomorrow? We have a deck of cards, that I’m sure of.”
“See, this is why we never made it, Lace.”
“Excuse me?” He was going there now? In front of Ashley?
“You’re so risk averse. You can’t live like that.”
“Actually, you can live longer like that.” She resisted the urge to snap the dish towel at him. Instead she dried the pot, maybe a little more furiously than necessary.
“And, sorry, but I’m a parent, David. With that title comes certain responsibilities. Like keeping your child safe.”
“Mom! He freaking tore into a shark with his bare hands to save me today.”
“Not exactly.”
“Exactly!” Ashley stood next to David, metaphorically and literally aligning herself with him. “And I totally trust him and, seriously, like everyone I know rides bikes over the causeway, so we’re going. Let’s go, Fox.”
“You can call me Dad.”
Cripes, pick a name already. And not Dad.
“Dad.” Ashley couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice. “We’ll be back before it gets dark, Mom.”
“Wait a sec, Ash.” David stepped closer, taking the towel from Lacey’s hands. “I’d be happy to forgo a bike ride if you’d come with us.”
She swallowed hard. “I’m going to bake you guys something. A surprise.”
He nodded knowingly. “So you still head to the flour and sugar when you’re strung out, huh?”
“I’m not—”
“Mom, he so knows you!” Ashley exclaimed, delighted. “Mom always stress bakes. It’s awesome.” She stopped, realizing what she said. “I mean, not that you’re stressed, just that we get to eat your amazing cakes and stuff.”
“It relaxes her,” David said knowingly, that insider info just irritating Lacey more. “Then I’m ordering something light and delicious. Oh, Lace, remember that French apple tart you made once at my apartment?” He slapped his hand to his chest. “Mother of God, I think that’s when I knew I loved you.”
She just stared at him, numbed by the comment. “I lost my tart pan in the storm,” she said softly. “How about meringue cookies?”
“Perfect.” For a minute she thought he was going to kiss her good-bye. And it seemed so natural. But he didn’t, instead backing away and gesturing to Ashley. “Let’s go, kiddo.”
They were out the door before Lacey could think of any reason to make them stay, any reason that wouldn’t make her sound like a petulant child or a big old jealous meanie.
Anything like Ashley, he’s going to leave and break your heart again. That’s what he does, baby.
She walked to the door, watching them round the yard toward the garage.
“Ashley!” Lacey called, and even as she did she couldn’t think of a thing to say. She had no parting shot, no special warning. She just had to see her daughter’s face.
“What?” But Ashley didn’t turn.
I love you. “Do you have your phone?”
“Don’t need it.”
Since when could she not be tethered to that damn phone? Since David-Fox-Dad showed up.
And they disappeared, with more happy laughter in their wake.
Back in the kitchen, she headed to the oven to flip the dial and preheat just as her cell phone rang. And she remembered Clay.
She stood stone still, long enough to debate what to say to him. And long enough to let the call go