A Saturday surprise!

Trish thought she’d never see Robert again . . . but when she did, something stirred in her heart

Robert’s voice sent a shiver down Trish’s spine

Trish Everett had a long list of Saturday errands, and her trip to the mall had taken over an hour. The closest exit was through the food court, past the carousel.

“I want to go around again!” she heard a child shriek.

Trish turned, and what she saw made her stop abruptly: Robert Lange was holding a screaming toddler and attempting to hand her to a woman she recognized as his sister, Claire. Trish hadn’t seen Robert in almost two years, not since his broadcasting career had taken him from their small city to a large one across the country. If they’d been together longer, she might have gone, too, but neither had been ready to take that step. So they decided to break up and move on.

But the break had hurt more than Trish expected, and seeing Robert now made her heart beat in a melancholy rhythm. Should she say hello?

“You can ride again,” Claire told her daughter, “after we get your flower girl dress and Uncle Robert picks up his tux. We can’t keep Aunt Lia waiting.” “Because she’s the bride?” “That’s right.” Robert’s voice sent a shiver down Trish’s spine. “We don’t want her to turn into a bridezilla.”

Trish’s vision blurred. Robert was getting married? When she blinked and saw Claire walking away, she bolted for the doors. “Trish? Is that you?” She feigned surprise as she turned, and Robert engulfed her in a bear hug.

“What are you doing in town?” She didn’t really want to hear his answer.

“My brother is getting married. I’m his best man.”

“Oh!” She laughed. “I overheard you talking, and I thought you were getting married. I was—” She stopped herself from saying jealous. “— surprised.”

His expression was sad. “I wasn’t marriage material two years ago. I was too focused on my career and getting ahead. But I gave up too much.”

Was she one of the things he regretted giving up?

“You’re still anchoring the news?”

He nodded. “It wasn’t the challenge I expected, just a bigger city. How are you? Still working at the garden center? Are you . . . with someone?” “I’m still single.” Because no one else measured up to you, she thought. “I’m still with the garden center and was promoted to manager last year.” The carousel stopped, and they watched a laughing young couple get off.

“Remember our trip to the amusement park?” Robert asked. “You didn’t want to tell me you were afraid of thrill rides. Then I saw how pale you were while we waited in line for the roller coaster.” “I was so embarrassed!” He smiled. “But I was perfect- ly happy to ride on the merrygo-round with you.”

He’d put his arm around her in the chariot, Trish recalled, and kissed her for the fi rst time.

Robert gestured toward the carousel. “Feel like taking a spin? I have several more tickets. Please,” he said. “I was going to call you before I left. There’s something I need to tell you.”

She followed him to a bench on the carousel— a lover’s seat, he’d called it that day at the park. The smile in his hazel eyes made her think he was remembering that, too.

“I’m not just here for the wedding,” he said as the ride began to spin. “I’ve been offered a job teaching broadcasting at a local college.” “You’re coming home?” “I’ve missed my family. But most of all, I’ve missed you.” “You have?” He nodded. “I know I can’t ask you to pick up where we left off . . .”

Trish hesitated. “I’m not sure that’d be possible for either of us. But I’ve wondered how things might have been if you hadn’t moved so far away.”

“Then why don’t we start again from here?”

He slid his arm behind her, and it felt right.

“I’d like that,” she said, knowing it was never too late for new beginnings. — Elizabeth

Palmer