Second-Chance Sweethearts Page 5

  “I haven’t had Jambalaya since I was last in New Orleans. I bet this chef can hold a candle to anything in the south,” Corinne said as she tapped her fork on her napkin and chewed her lip.

  “I’m sure he can,” Allen agreed. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Well, I was just wondering if maybe we could do both things. I know that the concepts are a little different, but they each serve a significant purpose. The old time photos are appropriate for this event, but the photo booth would sure be fun for guests at the ranch for big parties.”

  “Whew,” Allen said as he sat back in the booth and sighed. “You must think I’m a whole lot younger than I am to do all that in two weeks.”

  Corinne laughed. “I have no idea how old you are, but I’m pretty sure I’m older.”

  Allen wasn’t sure what to say—he was sure that they were around the same age, or he might be a bit older but it didn’t matter. For some reason, since he’d met Corinne and gotten this project assignment, he suddenly felt twenty years younger—and lighter. Ready to take on anything.

  “Okay, let’s do it. I say we try to do both. Maybe the set designers will have something we can use for the old time photos, and the photo booth can just be for people to have fun with. We can have lots of different kinds of costumes.”

  “Oh, about that...” Corinne started, but Wade interrupted her.

  “How’s it coming?” he asked, and he stepped aside as Kelsi set down their lunches. “Howdy, sis.” He gave Kelsi a quick peck on the cheek. “How you feeling?”

  Kelsi rubbed her tummy and smiled.

  “Very well, thank you. You excited to be an uncle again?”

  Wade tipped his hat at her as she walked away. “I sure am.”

  Allen smiled at Corinne. “River’s End Ranch. One big happy family,” Wade said as he sat next to Allen and looked at the drawing and pictures they’d come up with since they’d spoken earlier that morning.

  “Wow, you guys are on it. If it’s at all possible, I would like both. Like you said, I could see uses for both of them. Think that’s do-able?”

  Allen glanced at Corinne, who smiled at him and nodded. He turned to Wade and patted him on the back.

  “Sure. We can handle it. You can count on us spring chickens.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Corinne teased. “I’m as spring chicken as they come.”

  Wade laughed and tipped his hat before he left.

  “You really think we can pull this off?” Allen whispered as Wade stopped to talk to the sheriff at the counter.

  “Of course. The day I throw in the towel without even trying is the day I quit all together. And that’s not now,” Corinne said.

  Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Allen even allowed himself to think that maybe they could do both things, the old time photos and the goofy photo booth. At least it would be fun trying.

  Chapter 9

  Corinne couldn't stop thinking about how excited she was to do this project. She’d always been one for trying new things, but for some reason this seemed like more fun than anything else she'd ever done. When she got back from lunch with Allen, she explained to Tamlyn what they had decided to do about finding costumes and props. Tamlyn thought it was a good idea, and also had said she'd ask around to some of her wardrobe friends about any other kinds of options that might be available. She apologized again for not being able to donate costumes, but Corinne completely understood that they were sized and tailored specifically for the actors and actresses. It was never really a viable alternative to begin with.

  She'd worked on Opal's wedding dress for the remainder of the afternoon, and zipped it up in the garment bag to take home with her. Tamlyn closed up the studio and they headed out to her car.

  "So, are you going to work on the wedding dress again tonight?" Tamlyn ask Corinne as they slid into the car.

  "I'm not exactly sure. When we were at the café, Opal and Bernard invited us all to play trivia tonight. I wasn't sure if you wanted to go, so I didn't respond. Is that something that you’d like to do?" Corinne asked.

  Tamlyn set her purse on the floor between her feet. She rubbed her ankle at her calf, slowly shaking her head.

  "I know I thought that I might be able to run a marathon this weekend with my boot off, but I think I was wrong." Tamlyn looked at her aunt and grimaced. "It's pretty sore even though I was sitting most the day. I don't think I'm up for trivia even though I'd be sitting there, too. But if you'd like to go, Aunt Corinne, please do."

  Corinne shook her head. "Oh, no, I wouldn't dream of going without you."

  "Don't be silly," Tamlyn said. Hopefully you're going to stay for a while, and in that case you might as well start working on the other project. You don't have to be hovering over me every moment of every day. Although I love you for wanting to," Tamlyn said with a laugh.

  They stopped at the grocery store and Corinne ran in while Tamlyn waited in the car. She quickly gathered a few things—Kona coffee, for one—and something to make for Tamlyn for supper.

  Corinne set Tamlyn down on the couch, her ankle propped up with a pillow. She fluffed another one for her head.

  “You’re so good to me,” Tamlyn said dreamily as she rested on the couch.

  “Well, that’s pretty easy to do, little darling.” Corinne sat down on the couch beside Tamlyn and handed her a cup of tea—Tamlyn’s favorite, lemongrass with honey.

  “Oh, you remembered.” Tamlyn reached out and squeezed her aunt’s hand.

  “Tamlyn, we spent way too many summer sand vacations together for me to forget your favorite tea.”

  “Ugh,” Tamlyn said as she set the mug down on the coffee table. “And I forgot that you love Kona coffee. I’m horrible.”

  Corinne laughed and patted her knee before she headed back into the kitchen.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake. You’ve had a fair amount on your mind, my dear. It’s not a big deal at all. Besides, I bought some at the store.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you how you like being retired. I bet you have a list as long as your arm of all the places you’d like to visit.”

  Corinne sat on one of the stools at the kitchen counter.

  “You know, I thought I would have. But honestly, I traveled every vacation I got from the school district before I retired, and when it turned out I had all the time in the world, I just—I don’t know. It didn’t feel as urgent.”

  Tamlyn shook her head. “I never thought I’d hear that come out of your mouth, Aunt Corinne. Aren’t there more places on your bucket list?”

  “Of course there are,” she said. “But I just—well, you’re all grown up. My friends are still working. Traveling is more fun to me these days when you have someone to go with. But you’d think I’d be in a hurry to check them all off my bucket list, wouldn’t you? Given my advanced age and all.” She laughed when Tamlyn glared at her and threw a pillow.

  “Advanced age. That’s rich. You act younger than I do most of the time.”

  “Well, life is short. You’ve got to make the best of it,” Corinne said as she glanced at the clock. “Speaking of which...”

  “Go ahead and go,” Tamlyn said from the couch. “I’ll be fine here.”

  Corinne kissed Tamlyn on the forehead. “I made supper for you and it’s in the fridge. You want me to warm it up for you before I go?”

  “No, just go.” Tamlyn laughed. “I’ve never seen you go on a date before. Can’t wait to hear all about it.

  Corinne stopped in her tracks and spun to glare at Tamlyn.

  “It’s not a date. It’s someone I barely know. But we’re working on a project that sounds fun. That’s it.”

  “Uh-huh,” Tamlyn said as she sat up and fluffed the pillow behind her. “Remember Jaclyn?”

  “That silliness? I choose to ignore it.”

  “Good luck with that,” she heard Tamlyn shout as she closed the door.

  Corinne laughed as she started the car. Tamlyn was funny—a date. Goodness, she hadn�
�t had a date in at least a decade. She’d been too busy. And this wasn’t a date now, either. Just a fun project—with a very handsome man and his daughter.

  She’d told Allen she’d meet him at the main ranch house for Trivia, and he’d pointed it out to her after they’d finished lunch. The beautiful log building stood several stories high, with stained glass windows high up near the roof line. The big, wrap-around porch was covered with comfy-looking benches, and she walked down the porch a little toward a stand of pine trees that hung over the roof. The sun glinted off several of the tin roofs that dotted the ranch, and it made her eyes water. Before she knew it, she’d sneezed three times in rapid succession.

  “Here you go.” As she held her finger under her nose, she turned to see Allen standing behind her, holding out a handkerchief. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen a linen handkerchief except in her own purse, and this one was embroidered in blue.

  “Thank you,” she said after she’d turned away and discreetly blown her nose.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, and she glanced up to see his wide smile and blue eyes.

  She cleared her throat and said, “I’ll clean this and return it to you.” That’s what her mother had always taught her to do rather than hand a young man back his handkerchief...young man? She must be back in time. In fact, the last person she remembered handing her a handkerchief was her father on the day of her wedding—but that was to dry her tears.

  She appreciated the gesture and smiled at him before tucking the handkerchief in her pocket.

  “You ready to go? Trivia starts shortly, and we should get our pizza order in.”

  “Mm, I love pizza,” she said as he held out his arm for her.

  She wrapped hers through it and let him lead her into the restaurant.

  There were several tables with large groups at them, and she got the sense that these were teams that played together regularly. Allen stopped at a table that was full of a group of people, some of whom looked quite like him. He introduced her to his other daughter, Olivia, and her husband Fred.

  Allen’s brother, Aaron, and his new wife, Gillian, were introduced next. Olivia added that her new aunt is also her mother-in-law.

  Opal introduced her fiancé, Bernard, and they all sat down and worked through their pizza orders.

  After all the introductions, she hoped that there wasn’t a trivia question involving all the people she’d just met and how they were related. It seemed like a huge family to her—something that she wasn’t familiar with. She’d never had children—had never actually been married—but saw her sister’s children quite frequently. And she supposed as they got married and had kids, her own family might expand, too. But for now, it was just her.

  She had a great time, and spent a fair part of it chatting on the side with Opal and Allen. She had to let them know that Tamlyn couldn’t provide any costumes, and they all understood why. Allen had fleshed out the drawing even more, and said he’d be going on Saturday morning to get all the supplies they needed.

  Opal had investigated the computer program needed for the photo booth and Wade had given the thumb’s up to buy it. She and Bernard were going to spend the weekend practicing with that.

  “I’m not sure what we can do about costumes, but Tamlyn said she’d ask around.

  Allen’s sister-in-law Gillian chimed in.

  “No need. I bet you can find everything you need between the Riston Thrift Store and the annual flea market. It just so happens that it’s this weekend at the church downtown. Everybody’s donating everything from furniture to old books, but there’s always lots and lots of clothes.”

  Corinne and Allen exchanged glances.

  “That sounds like a great idea,” Corinne said.

  “It’ll be a good place to start,” Opal said. “If you don’t find what you need there, maybe Tamlyn can help afterward.”

  Corinne stood and said her goodbyes, letting them know she felt she needed to get back to Tamlyn.

  “It was so nice to meet you all,” she said, and she got a round of smiles in return.

  Allen stood to walk her out. She couldn’t help but notice that every pair of eyes at the table followed them out the door.

  “So, Saturday, then?” he said, looking down at his boots.

  “Saturday it is. Since Tamlyn and I are in town, would you like to just meet at the church? Early?”

  Allen ran his hand through his hair and laughed.

  “I honestly can’t think of anything I’d rather do. See you there, say seven a.m.”

  “Seven it is,” Corinne said. She waved as she started her car and pulled out onto the main road. When she looked in her rear view mirror, Allen was still standing on the porch, his arms folded over his chest.

  Chapter 10

  Friday flew by for Corinne. She tried to concentrate on the alterations of Opal’s—well, Mary’s—wedding dress but she kept checking the internet for old time photographs, and fun props to use for the photo booth. Tamlyn had gone in to the studio, anxious to drive for the first time in weeks, and Corinne had called a couple of times to check on her.

  “I’m fine, Aunt Corinne, really. I’m just working away here. Any luck on the wedding dress?”

  Corinne stood and circled the wedding dress, lifting up the sleeves one at a time. She was making pretty good progress, most of it delicate hand work.

  “I think so. It should be fine when all is said and done. Do you remember when they said the wedding is?”

  “Not for a few weeks, so there’s no hurry. You shouldn’t have any trouble finishing both that and your photo project.”

  Corinne nodded. She got lost in her projects and time flew by. She was still surprised at how excited she was when Tamlyn walked through the door.

  “Oh, wow, you’re home early,” Corinne said before she looked at her watch. “My gosh, how time flies when you’re having fun.”

  Tamlyn laughed and said, “It’s after six. You must really have been deep in it.”

  Corinne wanted to say that the dress alterations had been taking up all of her attention, but Tamlyn knew her well enough to ask more questions. She just kept her mouth shut, but it didn’t work.

  “So, are you excited for tomorrow?” Tamlyn asked as she opened the refrigerator and smiled at the casserole that Corinne had put together earlier in the day.

  Corinne turned on the oven and reached for the casserole, setting it on the counter while the oven heated.

  “Excited? For what?” She reached for some plates and set the small table in the corner of Tamlyn’s apartment.

  Tamlyn plopped down on one of the kitchen stools by the counter.

  “So you’re basically just waiting until tomorrow, right?” Tamlyn asked, taking a quick glance at her aunt from the corner of her eye.

  “Whatever do you mean?” Corinne asked, trying to keep her voice light and airy.

  Tamlyn laughed. “Okay, never mind. How about if we just eat dinner and watch a movie. Maybe it’ll make the time go faster for you. Have you picked out something to wear tomorrow?”

  “Tamlyn, that’s absurd. Why would I pick something special out? I’m just going to a rummage sale.”

  “Uh-huh. Okay. But it’s a rummage sale with a very handsome, single man.”

  Corinne let out a huff and realized that Tamlyn wasn’t going to let it alone.

  “Okay, what do you suggest I wear. Not that it matters. Allen was very much in love with his first wife, and he and his girls miss her dearly.”

  She pointed at the wedding dress on the mannequin in the corner.

  “As you can well see.”

  Tamlyn turned her ankle in circles and glanced at the wedding dress.

  “I know that. But I also know that there are some kind of sparks between you and Allen—Jaclyn even said so. So why not put your best foot forward?”

  Corinne glared at her niece.

  “I’m well beyond putting my best food forward. I am what I am. And you know I like t
o travel—Allen seems pretty content to stay put. We’re just having fun and accommodating Wade’s party. That’s all.”

  Tamlyn walked into Corinne’s bedroom and Corinne stared at the door as she set the casserole out on the table.

  After a few minutes, Tamlyn returned with Corinne’s favorite pair of jeans and an emerald green sweater, one of her softest and most comfortable. She hung the jeans over the back of a chair and the sweater on top of it. She also laid an emerald necklace and floral-print cashmere scarf on top of it.

  “Okay. So if you don’t care, wear this. It makes your eyes sparkle,” Tamlyn said with a wry smile. She reached for a plate and sat at the table, waiting for Corinne to join her.

  They ate and watched a movie, and Corinne tried her best to sleep. She got up when the sun rose, though, and made a pot of the Kona coffee she loved, nervously glancing at her watch as she got dressed—in the outfit Tamlyn had chosen for her.

  She pulled at her hair—darn that gray streak—and put on some makeup for the first time since she’d retired. Even if there was nothing to write home about her and Allen, she might as well look her best.

  She wrapped the floral scarf around her neck, grabbed her jacket and said goodbye to Tamlyn.

  “Have a wonderful time, Aunt Corinne,” Tamlyn sang as Corinne opened the door and huffed.

  “I’m going shopping for props. That’s all.”

  “Uh-huh,” was the last she heard from Tamlyn, and she drove to the church with a bit of a knot in her stomach. She took care not to spill the to-go cups of coffee she’d placed in the cup holder—she’d made one for Allen since it was his favorite, too.

  His eyes lit up when she finally found him and offered him the coffee. He took a deep inhale of the aroma and sighed.

  “Kona. My favorite. Thanks,” he said as he took a sip.

  “You’re welcome. It’s my favorite, ever since I visited the island and got to tour the coffee plantation. Glad you like it.”

  “I love it,” Allen replied, a grateful smile spreading across his face.