This was already going better than she’d expected.
The drive to town took less than five minutes. Van would have suggested they walk, but she knew her mom wouldn’t have gone for it. She was too fragile to deal with meeting people in the street. They’d head straight for the doctor’s office, then home again.
“Here goes nothing.” Kim followed Van out of the front door and down the steps. A warm breeze rustled through the trees and lifted her hair, the golden tips dancing in the wind. Van looked at her mom, taking in her warm, smooth skin and pale blue eyes. Right now she looked like she was in her twenties, not her forties.
She’d always been a good looking woman. And she’d relied on those looks to get her through life. They’d been her blessing and her curse, bringing her joy and pain at the same time.
Parking outside the doctor’s office, Van opened the car door, then walked around to help her mom out. Kim blinked as she emerged into the bright afternoon sun. “You can wait here,” she said, her voice low. “I won’t be long.”
“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”
Kim shook her head. “I only need a prescription. It’ll take no time.”
Van watched her mom walk into the doctor’s office, then leaned on her car, enjoying the feel of the sun against her skin. She was wearing a dark blue shirt
dress, belted at the waist, the hem skimming her mid thighs. Like her mom, her hair was freshly washed and flowing. She felt good today. Maybe it was the fact that things were finally falling into place. Her mom was feeling better, Zoe seemed happy, and she had a job offer that she was almost certain she was going to take.
“Look at you leaning on that car like some kind of model.”
Van grinned as Becca walked toward her. Tanner’s sister was wearing a sleeveless blouse and a black skirt, her dark hair twisted into a messy knot.
“Hey. What are you doing here? I thought you worked at the distillery.”
“I do.” Becca held up a piece of paper. “I’ve been sent on a lunch run. Because my boss is an asshole and thinks I’m his assistant.” She rolled her eyes. “On the plus side, it means I can enjoy the sun instead of being cooped up inside. And if it takes Murphy an hour to make up the order?” She shrugged. “I guess they’ll have to deal with that.”
Van couldn’t help but laugh at Becca’s expression. It was somewhere between disgust and satisfaction. “Well enjoy the break. I’d recommend sitting outside while he makes up the order.”
“I might just do that.” Becca winked. “Thanks.” She pulled her lip between her teeth, her brow dipping as though she was thinking about whether to speak. “So, it was good to see you on Sunday.”
“It was good to see you, too. Thanks for spending so much time with Zoe. She enjoyed it.”
“You and Tanner seemed close.” Becca shifted her feet awkwardly. “It was nice… seeing you talk again like old times.” She looked up at Van. “Do you think you two can be friends again?” she asked.
Van felt her chest tighten. “Yeah,” she said, nodding. “I think we can.” Even if part of her yearned for more.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Van started to laugh. She couldn’t help it. Becca was so damn obvious. “No, I don’t.”
“Nor does Tanner.” Becca frowned at her own words. “I mean he doesn’t have a girlfriend,” she added. “You’re both single. That’s interesting.”
“Is it?” Van chuckled.
“Yeah. Why are you laughing?”
“I don’t know,” Van said, swallowing hard. “It just struck me as funny. That’s all.”
“I just think it would be nice if you two… I don’t know… maybe thought about dating or something. I always thought you would when we were younger. You two look good together. And that would make you my sister.” Becca grinned. “I’d like that a lot.”
“We’re just friends, Becca. That’s all.” Van’s voice was soft. She’d always had a soft spot for the younger girl.
Becca nodded, her hopeful expression dissolving. “I guess I should go get this food.”
“Sure. I’ll see you around.”
Giving her a half-smile, Becca said her goodbyes and walked into the diner. When Kim emerged from the doctor’s office ten minutes later, Van was sitting in her car, the windows down, listening to soft music playing on the local country radio station.
“Well that was a waste of time,” Kim said, sitting down and slamming the door. “He won’t up my dose of happy pills. Not unless I agree to go to AA.” She shook her head. “I told him I’m not an alcoholic. I just like a drink occasionally.”