After breakfast, Noa went to the living room to play with her toys so Lucas and Elizabeth cleaned the kitchen.
"Is there a bookstore in Hope Valley?"
"Yes. It's called The Book Spot. Noa and I go at least once a week."
He knew the love he and Elizabeth both had for books and apparently Noa inherited that trait.
She smiled and looked at him, remembering Heffers, the bookstore in Cambridge.
"Heffers?" he asked, knowing the meaning behind her smile.
She nodded. "I'll always have wonderful memories of our time there."
…..
Third Date, Cambridge
Elizabeth walked into a bookstore called Heffers that she had heard about. She needed a new novel to read. As a child, she loved to read, often doing so under the covers with a flashlight at bedtime when she was supposed to be sleeping.
Now, with school and her new relationship with Lucas, she didn't have as much time. Regardless, it was a favorite pastime so she was going to wander.
About twenty minutes in, she felt someone watching her. She looked up at the end of the aisle.
"Hey," she said, giving him a big smile.
"Hey, Beth," he greeted, walking over and kissing her forehead. "I love this place."
"Its my first time here but yeah, it's pretty great."
He slipped his fingers between hers and they kept quietly looking for their books.
"Randall Conway?" he asked, noticing her book. "The Prince of the Blue Sun."
"Yes! It's a Dystopian fantasy series. It's amazing!"
"Hmmm…I'm more of a Sci-fi lover. Although I do love a good classic too."
"What classic is your favorite?"
"The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. It was brilliant."
She giggled and squeezed his hand. "You're starting to sound like a local."
"Have you read it?"
"Nope, but I have an idea. What if I read that book and you read the first one in the Blue Sun series? Then we can talk about them."
"Deal." Instead of shaking her hand to seal it, he looked behind them and gave her a slow, deep kiss, leaning her back against the shelves. "Let's buy these and go get some coffee."
She kissed his smooth cheek right where his dimple was. "I'd love to."
…..
Current time
"Let's go to The Book Spot. I'd love to see it," he suggested. Really, he wanted to use and enjoy every single moment that he could with his daughter and Beth. He would be heading back to LA that evening.
"Sure and maybe get some coffee?"
"Yeah. Coffee will be good."
Elizabeth drove them to town and parked right in front of the adorable little store.
"What exactly do you do for a living, Lucas?" she asked. "I know you were studying literature and history in Cambridge."
"I'm a senior website developer. I work for a large company in the city."
"Wow. Senior?"
"I got my masters and worked my way up. Now, I can work anywhere though I usually just work at my office."
"You're 27. You finished your masters?"
He nodded and opened his door and then walked around to her side and opened hers.
"That's amazing, Lucas."
He shrugged. "I do all right."
She had a feeling he did better than alright but he wasn't the kind of guy who tooted his own horn. At least the old Lucas hadn't been.
He held the door to the store open too, proving again that he was still the chivalrous man she had fallen in love with.
"Thank you."
He nodded. "If its alright, I'd like to buy Noa a book or two."
She looked down at their daughter who had the "I have a new daddy and he's amazing" stars in her eyes.
"Okay. Sure." She really didn't see the harm in allowing him to connect with her.
"Alright, sweet pea," he said, squatting down to her eye level. "Show me your favorites."
As Noa jabbered about the books, Elizabeth answered her phone.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hello, dear. Are you and Noa still planning to come for dinner tonight?"
"I'm not sure. I have some news." Her eyes traveled over to the children's area where Noa was pointing and giggling and Lucas seemed to be soaking it all up.
"Okay. What's your news?"
"Noa's Dad is in town. He leaves tonight."
"Her Dad? How is he there?"
"Its a long story. Maybe we can come over on a different night and I'll explain?"
Grace was quiet for a moment. "Please be careful, Beth."
"I am, Mom. Don't worry."
"Its my job to worry."
The same worry that Grace was referring to was what kept Elizabeth's eyes on Lucas and Noa.
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, dear."
Elizabeth stayed within a respectable distance of them but still tried to find something new to read.
Lucas bought Noa her books, five of them actually, and then he also offered to buy Elizabeth's but she declined, thanking him but letting him know it wasn't necessary.
"I know it's not necessary, but it's a gift, Beth."
"I'm okay with you buying gifts for Noa."
"But not you," he said.
"I just don't feel like we are in that place, Lucas. Not yet." She wasn't trying to be difficult. She just wanted to keep her distance. It hurt too much to have a broken heart.
He nodded and they wandered to the café down the street to have tea, coffee and hot cocoa, Noa holding on to both of their hands and chatting about her books.
Lucas knew that Elizabeth was struggling to let him in, regardless that she told him he was "it" for her. That was so confusing to him. If he was "it", why not let him in?
Honestly, he wanted to get to know her and Noa, feel all the feelings for the woman, Elizabeth, and not the young adult. It wasn't that he felt nothing anymore. There was a definite draw to be close. There had always been that draw to her while they were dating. Right now, he wanted to build their friendship back up and have a good base.
"What time do you have to head back this evening?" Elizabeth asked him, pulling him from his thoughts.
"About 7pm or so."
She nodded.
"Where are you going, Daddy?" Noa asked, raising her hands for him to pick her up. He, of course, did so. He loved that she was so willing to accept him. At least one of the Thatcher women were.
"I have to go back to Los Angeles and then back to New York."
"Are we coming with you?"
"No, sweetie," Elizabeth told her.
"But, why?"
"Because he lives in New York. He doesn't live here in Hope Valley."
"Yet."
"Maybe. What happens if you can't leave?"
"I told you, I can work anywhere, Beth."
His phone buzzed and he stared at it, long enough for her to see the name, Jeanette, on it.
"You can answer it. Noa and I will find a booth."
She assumed she was the one he went out with occasionally.
"Nope. I'm here now. She can wait."
"Lucas, we have been in your life for two days. How long have you known her?"
"Four years. I've known you longer."
"Call her, Lucas. Don't you miss her?"
"Not as much as I miss you."
She sighed shook her head. "You miss the old me. The young me from Cambridge. Call your girlfriend, Lucas."
"She's not my girlfriend and why are you pushing me away?"
She shook her head and walked into the café, Noa at her side.
She held her tears in. It killed her to know he had someone back home. It killed her to even think about him dating anyone else. It also killed her to suggest that he choose Jeanette over her and Noa.
"Mommy?" Noa said, pulling on her hand. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, punkin. I'm just fine."
"You're crying."
Maybe she hadn't held her tears in.
"Why, Beth? Why are you not letting me at least be your friend?" he asked, walking up to her.
"Because you hurt me, deeply, Luke. I know you didn't mean to but you let me down. I don't want to go through that again."
"I won't hurt you."
"You can't promise that, just like you can't promise Noa that you are going to move here for sure. Anything could happen to prevent it."
He took her fingers in his for a moment, just a moment, to catch her attention. He forced himself not to dry her tears.
"What I can promise is that I am going to try my hardest to be there for Noa and for you."
She nodded after a moment. "Okay."
He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I'm not perfect but I am a good guy."
"I know."
"Are you sure?"
She stared up into his green eyes, the ones she loved so much, and nodded. "Yeah. I'm just scared."
He didn't know how to respond. He'd tried to assure her but she was just going to have to learn to trust him again.
…..
Lucas stayed later than he intended because Noa begged him to read a few stories to her before bed. He couldn't say no.
"Daddy? You're gonna come back, right?"
"I will, yes. I have to get some things situated at work and pack all my stuff and find somewhere to live here."
"You could stay here!"
"No, sweet pea. I need to find a house of my own."
"Will I get to live there too?"
"Mommy and I will talk about that, Noa."
"Okay."
She leaned her wet head against his shoulder and sighed. "Which book do you want to read first?"
Elizabeth listened from the hallway. He was trying so hard to answer her questions without giving an answer that might cause an issue. She appreciated that.
About twenty minutes later, he walked into the kitchen to Elizabeth making two lunches for the next day.
"Hey."
She looked up at him. "Hey."
"So in a couple days, I'd like to FaceTime with her. Maybe after dinner, before bed."
"Okay."
"If you need anything at all, Beth, please text or call me."
She nodded. "I will."
He opened his arms for a hug and she didn't hesitate to step into his arms. He held her for a few long moments and then stepped back.
"See you soon?" he asked, briefly kissing her forehead.
"Yes. I hope so."
He squeezed her hand and walked out the door. She immediately missed him. She sat on the couch and allowed herself some tears of frustration and sadness and then she got up to finish making lunch for tomorrow. Then she had to grade those papers she had decided not to grade after school on Friday.
Time to be Ms. Thatcher, second grade teacher, Noa's mom, single woman. She was good at those things.