She was checking the day’s total on the nursery register when Christy Joy came outside to join her. “Thanks for not throwing a fit about this morning. I really didn’t mean to be so late.”
“We got along fine, but now you owe me.”
Darcy couldn’t dispute that. “You need a babysitter?”
“Not today, but I do have a favor to ask. Jeremy wants to take Twink and me out whale watching one morning early, and I want you and Griffin to come along.”
“Why, to throw J. Lyle off the scent?”
Christy Joy smoothed her upswept curls. “I know, it’s stupid, but I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable if Twink and I didn’t have to be alone with Jeremy.”
“He seems like a nice guy.”
“I think so too, but I’m just hollow. I can manage Defy the World and raise Twink, but that’s it. I’ve nothing left for Jeremy, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings and turn him down when I brought up the subject of whale watching in the first place.”
Darcy knew what she meant by hollow, as in empty of reserves, but she certainly didn’t have that problem with Griffin. “I’ve got an appointment for an estimate tomorrow at nine which might cut it too close. What about Wednesday?”
“Jeremy said anytime this week, so Wednesday should be fine.”
“Good. I can’t speak for Griffin, but I’ll be there. It’s been ages since I’ve been out on a boat, and it’s always fun. I’m very proud of Defy the World, but we aren’t having nearly enough fun, Christy Joy.”
“Oh, come on. I enjoy the shop and the time I spend with Twink.”
“But you’re complaining of feeling hollow,” Darcy reminded her.
Christy Joy raised her finger to her lips. “Hush. Don’t you dare spread that around. I need to get back inside, but tell me first, how was your morning?”
“Indescribable,” Darcy exclaimed.
“That good? Well, lucky you.”
Darcy let Christy Joy go without expanding upon her appreciative comment, but she was still confused about what had really happened that morning when Griffin returned.
“I still want to go down to the beach,” he said. “Do you have a jacket?”
“Sure, I have several hanging in my office. I’ll go and get one.” She expected him to wait by the gate, but he came along with her and helped her into the dark green windbreaker. When he took her hand, the thrill was still there despite her misgivings.
It was a short walk to the beach, and they took off their shoes and strolled on down past the vacation homes to the tree-lined edge of the bay before Griffin pulled Darcy down beside him in the sand.
“I have a concert in Seattle on Saturday, and I want to take you with me.”
The invitation was the last thing Darcy had expected to hear, but there was no way she could accept. “Last weekend was really busy, and if the beautiful weather holds, next weekend will be the same. I can’t even afford to be late, much less leave town.”
Griffin kept his gaze focused on the sailboats returning to the bay. “I understand. I’ve put you in a bind, and naturally you’d not want to harm Defy the World any further by being away.”
While that was the truth, Darcy hated the slant he’d given it. “Eventually things will work out,” she replied.
“I have no such faith, but still, I wanted to ask you. Sit still.” He stood then sat behind her so she was cradled between his outstretched legs. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest.
“If I get the opportunity to play an encore or two, I’m going to play one of my own pieces.”
That made the concert doubly important, and Darcy’s heart sank. “Have you done that before?”
“No, but there are some excellent music critics in Seattle, and I’m anxious to hear their opinion of my work.”
“So this is a major event for you,” Darcy mused aloud.
“Yes, but if you can’t be there, I’ll just have to tell you about it when I get ho