When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,72

was thankful she had a few from her college years. Also, she was practical when she went shopping, just like me. The one we chose from her closet was perfect.

Abby fluffed my hair she’d helped me curl. “You can keep it. I don’t have any use for it.”

She said it like it was no big deal, but I read into her meaning. Steve was gone and she didn’t imagine needing it again.

“Don’t say that. You never know.” I draped my arms around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.

I was about to tell her she would eventually move on and find someone else, but she wasn’t ready for that. How long she would wait would be up to her.

“I don’t know, Kate. I don’t want to talk about it. Tonight is about you.” Abby unplugged the curling iron and faced the bathroom mirror. “So, are you coming home?”

“Of course I am. What kind of question is that?” Warmth traveled up my neck. “I’m going to a charity event with him. He didn’t ask me out on a date. And even if it was a date, I would still come home.”

“Sure.” She sounded like she didn’t believe me.

My nephew peeked in, holding a tablet. “You look pretty, Auntie Kate.”

“Thank you, Ty. Are you playing—”

“Nope.” He frowned with his shoulders slumped. “I’m doing homework. Mom is making me do some phonics sound thing. It’s okay. It’s not as fun as Unicorns versus Skeletons, though.”

I patted his back. “I’m sure it’s not, but not everything is going to be fun. It’s all in the attitude, Ty.”

“Okay.” His big eyes softened. “When is Bridget coming over?”

As if on cue, the sound of a car door slamming reached us.

Tyler ran to the window and peeked through the shutters. “Wow. It’s black and very long. I’ve never been inside one like that.”

Abby dashed out and stood beside Tyler. “See. It’s a date.”

Abby liked to be right, even if she was wrong. Though secretly, I wished she was right.

The doorbell rang.

“Stay right there.” Abby narrowed her eyes at me to stress her point.

I felt like I was going to the prom and I was stealing a glance at my date. And Abby was my mother.

“Lee. Bridget. Come in.” Abby moved to the side to give them room. “You look very nice, Lee.”

Lee looked more than nice. He wore a dark navy suit with a flower-printed tie. His hair was slicked back the way I liked it. From his head to his polished black dress shoes, he was perfect.

“Thank you.” His voice dipped softer. “This is Bridget’s bag. It has her toiletries and PJs. I’m not sure how late we’ll be.”

“That’s okay. Take your time. In fact, Bridget is welcome to spend the night. That way you can stay out with Kate as long as you’d like.”

What did she say that for?

Before she could say something else, I stepped out.

“Hello.” I waggled my fingers in a wave. I suddenly became nervous, especially when Lee’s eyes brightened, taking me in.

Bridget wrapped her arms gently around my waist. “You look pretty, Kate.” She peered up at me under those long eyelashes.

“Thank you.” I tapped her nose.

“Well, you two should get going.” Abby clasped her hands under her chin. “Have fun.”

I grabbed the black clutch purse I had also borrowed from the entryway table and we were out the door. I tried to relax. Not a date. I was out with Lee, my friend. Bridget’s father. My employer. We were on our way to a charity event—practically a work thing for him.

“A limo, Lee? The Poipu Grand Hotel is fifteen minutes away,” I teased as my heels clicked on the front walk.

He rubbed his clean-shaven chin and chuckled lightly. “I—um—I thought it would be nice.”

When the driver wearing a dark suit opened the door for us, Lee extended his hand and helped me ease in first, and then he sat beside me.

Lee and I chatted mostly about Bridget on the way to the function, but he never brought up the almost kiss. I supposed it wasn’t the right time to talk about it in the back seat with a stranger in front.

For the next few minutes, we talked about some of my favorite artists and Lee’s work, until the twinkling lights snaked around the palm trees on either side of the path leading to the front of the hotel. When we arrived, several limos were ahead of us. The driver waited until it was safe for us to exit. Then he let