Leslie nodded, but couldn’t seem to resist saying, “Skating’s more fun. And you should try the hot chocolate. It’s good, isn’t it, Mama?”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Renae,” Emma said then. “Has Evan told you that my family would like to make a contribution to the scholarship?”
“He did, and we appreciate it very much,” Renae replied graciously, though her tone was still a bit more formal than usual.
Emma smiled at the children, speaking to them both. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy skating. We never had outdoor ice-skating in Arkansas when I was your age, and I always thought it looked like fun.”
Leslie nodded eagerly. “We go to the indoor rink sometimes, but we wanted to come here today. We like to skate. Even if Grammy says we have to wear our bike helmets.”
Evan had just processed the meaning of that slightly aggrieved statement when Lucy Sanchez appeared. “Renae, I thought you were taking the children out to—”
Lucy’s words died when she saw who stood in front of her daughter-in-law. Her round face paled.
He injected as much warmth as he could into his voice. “Hello, Mrs. Sanchez.”
Lucy put a hand on her granddaughter’s shoulder and drew the child back against her as if protecting her from a possible mugger. “Evan,” she acknowledged frostily.
“Lucy, this is Emma Grainger,” Renae said quickly. “She’s the one I told you about whose family is having a fundraising auction for Jason’s scholarship.”
Nodding to Emma with a little more graciousness than she had displayed toward Evan, Lucy murmured, “That’s very kind of you and your family. My son would be grateful.”
“Mama, I think I see Jacob out there.” Tugging at his mother’s hand, Daniel pointed toward the exit door through which they could see the skating rink. “They don’t know we’re here.”
“We really should go on out,” Lucy urged. “I’m sure they’re waiting for us.”
While that was probably true, Evan knew Lucy was mostly just trying to get her family away from him. Because that irked him, he gave her a bright smile. “It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Sanchez.”
She muttered something unintelligible in response and led her granddaughter toward the exit. Leslie looked back over her shoulder to wave a goodbye to Evan
and Emma.
With Daniel still pulling at her hand, Renae gave Evan an apologetic look, but said only, “It was nice to meet you, Emma.”
“I’ll call you,” Evan said quietly to her, making sure his words didn’t carry to the hastily departing Lucy.
She nodded and kept walking.
He couldn’t dwell on that awkward encounter now—he had to focus on the friend who needed his attention. “Let’s get that coffee,” he said to Emma, waving a hand toward the counter.
A few minutes later, they sat in chrome-and-plastic chairs at a small, laminate-topped round table in the quietest corner they could find. Sipping his coffee black, Evan watched as Emma stirred creamer into her mug, her expression distracted.
It was hard not to be distracted himself. Was Renae skating with the twins? He’d like to see her on skates, laughing with her kids. Was she thinking of him now, aware of his proximity? Trying not to frown, he hoped that awareness wasn’t dimming Renae’s fun. He certainly hadn’t meant to ruin her outing.
Emma glanced up at him. “Lucy Sanchez is no fan of yours.”
Had she somehow followed his line of thinking? His chuckle held little humor. “Picked up on that, did you?”
“I didn’t expect that,” she admitted. “I thought everyone liked you.”
“That’s very nice of you, but I have my share of detractors. Lucy just happens to head the list.”
“I’m surprised. I’d have thought she would be grateful to you for establishing the scholarship.”
He shrugged. “More likely she’s gratified by the scholarship despite my involvement.”
“I don’t understand it. You’re such a nice guy.”