Rom-Com Collection

“I could offer you $25,000 for it right now.”

“Holy guacamole!” I blurted. Twenty-five grand was a down payment on a house! But even as staggering a number as that was, I knew I’d never do it. “That’s really generous, but it’s not for sale,” I told the curator. “But thank you.” Ian smiled at the floor.

Her face fell. “All right,” she said, her voice considerably less enthusiastic. “Well, if you ever change your mind, we’d really appreciate the chance to acquire it.”

“You know,” I said, “you might be interested in meeting my grandfather. Noah Grey of Noah’s Arks. Have you ever heard of him?”

“You’re kidding! Noah Grey is here?”

I pointed over to where Noah and Jody were standing, admiring a dining room chair. “The man with the white beard and the cane,” I said.

“Thank you!” she said, springing away. “Lovely meeting you!” We watched as she approached my grandfather, said something, then clasped her hands to her chest, no doubt gushing.

“You’re very good with people,” Ian commented.

“Was I working the room?” I asked.

He gave a half smile, acknowledging our little discussion a few weeks back. “I’ve never seen you sit in your chair,” he commented. “Why is that?”

I glanced up at him, then back at the display. “I’m sort of saving it, I guess,” I said.

“For what?” he asked.

I hesitated. “Um … just for … I don’t know.” For when I’ve earned it. I slipped my hand into Ian’s, and he looked at me, always seeming a little startled—and happy—when I showed him some affection. My heart gave a nearly painful squeeze. Standing on tiptoe, I kissed his cheek. “I like you, Ian McFarland,” I said.

His eyes crinkled a little. “I hope so.”

“And you like me, too, of course,” I prodded.

“Yes,” he agreed. “You’re fun to look at.”

“Like a circus monkey?”

“Exactly.”

I punched his shoulder. “I’ll bet you never expected to be with the crazy woman from the DMV.”

“You would win that bet,” he answered easily.

I paused. “What did you think of me, that day?”

“I thought you were a junkie.” He grinned.

“Nice, Ian! I have to teach you to lie a little bit.”

“Well, it was logical. You were clearly agitated and very … kinetic.”

“Got it, Mr. Spock,” I muttered.

“You couldn’t stop moving, couldn’t finish a sentence. I thought you needed a fix.”

“Flatterer,” I muttered.

He squeezed my hand. “I also thought you had pretty hair. And I liked your ears.”

Ears. Who knew what men would fixate on next? There was that smile again, starting in his eyes and staying there, making that pure blue seem as warm and lovely as a September sky.

“And what about my horrifying propensity to blurt out my feelings, Ian?” I teased. “My ‘emotional diarrhea,’ as you called it. You seemed quite disgusted, I remember.”

“Yes,” he said, lifting my hand and studying it. “I was. At first, anyway.”

I waited for more. Another couple passed us, cooing over a chest of drawers they wished they could afford.

“But then?” I prompted when too much time had passed.

“Then I wondered …” He hesitated.

“Wondered what, Ian?” I said. He didn’t answer. “Wondered what it would be like to cry in the DMV? Because I’m sure they’d be happy to arrange that. Most of us do cry, in fact. Leaving dry-eyed … that’s a fluke.”

He met my eyes abruptly, giving me the full force of the pure blue. “I wondered what it would be like to just … let everything out.” He glanced past me. “Even though I thought you were a little crazy, I sort of admired you, too. For being so … open. And honest.” His eyes came back to mine and softened. “And … well … so full of life.”

Realizing that my mouth was open, I closed it.

That day had been one of the worst days in my adult life. And Ian had found something admirable there.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome,” he said quietly.

“Callie! Did you send that pit bull over to talk to me?” Noah came hobbling up, Jody at his side.

I shook myself out of my haze. “Um, yes, I did. I take it you’re overwhelmed.”

“Some granddaughters should learn to keep their mouths shut,” he grumbled. “But they don’t.”

“Some granddaughters should smother their grandpas in their sleep,” I returned. “But they don’t. But they might, so watch it, old man.”

“They want a canoe for their collection,” Jody explained. “Noah, it’s a compliment.”

“I didn’t ask for this,” he grumbled.

“Oh, boohoohoo,” I said. “You’re flattered. Admit it.”

“Hush you. Mind your elders.” He glared at me, but his beard twitched. I knew the truth. He couldn’t have been more pleased.

Ian held my hand the whole way back, and just the simple sensation of his warm, strong hand holding mine so firmly had me quite ruttish. My heart felt swollen and tender after what Ian had said. That my worst moment had, in some way, shown something good about me. It was somewhat astonishing.

When we got to Jody’s house, a muttered conversation took place in the backseat. “I think I’ll be stayin’ here, Callie,” Noah said.