Spring Fancy
by Karen Rose Smith

When Hank took Robin into his arms for the Texas two-step, a thrill ran through her.  As a well-known country tune played and she let him lead her, she knew she was terribly attracted to the rugged man with thick black hair and kind blue eyes.  But that didn't matter.  She'd only come on this blind date with her grandmother's neighbor to pacify Gran.  Robin had seen her parents' marriage dissolve when she was a child.  She'd heard the fights and felt her mother's pain.  No, marriage wasn't for her.

"A dollar for your thoughts," Hank offered as the music stopped.

"Save your money.  I was just daydreaming."

He shook his head as he guided her back to their sturdy wood table with it's black barrel-like chairs.  "Why did you come here with me tonight?" he asked, his piercing blue eyes somber.

It was spring, a time for romance and dreams.  But for years Robin had ignored romance and shunned dreams.  Now as she looked at this tall, virile man who owned the lumber yard in Russet Falls, she knew she had to be honest.  "For the same reason you did--to please my grandmother.  She told me how she can call you anytime to help shovel her snow, fix her lawn mower or repair a dripping faucet.  I can tell you're fond of her."  Hank had moved into the house next door to her grandmother's after Christmas and although Robin had caught glimpses of him in his yard, she'd never actually met him until yesterday.  Her grandmother had invited them both to dinner so they could meet.

"I didn't ask you out to please your grandmother," Hank protested.  "I've seen you helping her hang wash and bake bread.  I wanted to get to know you better.  I thought you were having a good time tonight, and I planned to ask you out again."

Robin had never been to this country dancing club before.  Patiently, Hank had helped her learn the line dances earlier in the evening and taught her the two-step.  "I was having a good time.  But I don't want to lead you on.  I'm not looking for anything serious."

"Why not?" He looked truly puzzled.

"The explanation came easily because it was always on the surface.  I don't want to get hurt like my mother did.  My dad found someone else, and my mom never got over it.  I'd rather just put my energy into my work."  She sold real estate and was good at it.

Leaning forward in his chair, Hank looked troubled.  "That's a shame, Robin.  Because I believe in love and marriage.  I'm ready to settle down and start a family.  My parents have been married for thirty years ad I want the same thing they have.  Work can be satisfying.  But I want someone to hold in the middle of the night...someone to dream with me.

She didn't know what to say to that so she said nothing.

His forehead creasing with his frown, Hank nodded toward the door. "I'd better take you home."

The following week passed slowly   as Robin thought about everything Hank had said.  But she'd grown up determined to never marry, determined to keep her heart safe.  Her armor was implacable.  Or so she thought until she saw Hank at the playground on Saturday. She liked walking and on a sunny day like today, she left her car at her apartment and walked to the center of town to do errands.  She stopped under a tall maple and watched Hank push a four-year-old on a swing.  The little boy laughed and swung his feet back and forth.  Hank pushed him higher, a look of contentment and enjoyment on his face.  Robin remembered him telling her he spent Saturday afternoon with his nephew.  He'd kidded that Timmy helped keep him in shape.

Suddenly Hank looked up and caught sight of Robin.  She told herself it would be rude not to speak to him.

The first thing he did was introduce her to his nephew.  "Timmy, this is Robin," he said seriously.  Since she'd arrived on the scene, his smile had vanished.

"Hi," Timmy said.  "Wanna go on the merry-go-round with me?"

The playground had one of the old-fashioned wooden ones someone had to push.

I'm sure Robin was on her way to town," Hank explained to his nephew.  She didn't know if he was giving her an out or he preferred she move on.  She didn't want to move on.  "That sounds like a great idea," she told the little boy.  "C'mon.  Your uncle can push us."

She barely glanced at Hank as Timmy took her hand and pulled her joyfully toward the merry-go-round.

Hank's expression was neutral as he spun them.  Robin's head spun, but she found herself laughing along with Timmy.  After several revolutions, Hank stopped pushing.

The merry-go-round stilled and Timmy said, "Sliding board next?  C'mon.

"Wait for me," Hank called to him.  "The steps are steep.  I have to watch him carefully."

Apparently Hank was a man who took his responsibilities seriously.  She didn't have a good reason to interrupt his afternoon with Timmy.  "I can see why you enjoy spending time with him.  I'd better be going.  Lots of errands."  It was true.  But the look in Hank's eyes told her he knew she was running away.

And she was.  She was terrified to get involved...terrified any man would leave as her father had.

On Sunday when she visited Gran again, her grandmother asked her, "You like Hank, don't you?"

"Yes, I do," she admitted.  "I've never minded being alone.  But since Saturday night when he dropped me off at my apartment, I've felt lonely.  It doesn't make sense."

"It makes sense if he's the right one.  Your mom and dad were never meant for each other.  They never wanted the same things.  She liked small-town life.  He wanted to work in the city.  She wanted three or four children.  Your dad thought responsibility for you was enough.  But you and Hank..."

"I squelched anything that started between us.  I told him I didn't want a serious relationship."  She remembered his remoteness on Saturday at the playground."  I don't think he wants anything else to do with me."

Gran's hazel eyes twinkled.  "Don't underestimate a good man, honey."

Was she underestimating Hank?  Was she underestimating herself and the power of love?  There was only one way to find out.

She's seen Hank outside earlier trimming his hedge.  Maybe if he was still there...

Robin gave her grandmother a thumbs-up sign and went out the back door.  Seeing Hank sitting on his porch, she noticed he'd changed into a fresh shirt and was drinking from a bottle of iced tea.  She froze, suddenly panicked.

He frowned when he saw her and stood.  "Does your grandmother need something?"

Pulling herself together, she went up the porch steps and faced him, thinking this was the bravest thing she'd ever done.  "No.  I need something.  I..."

He didn't help her, and she pushed on.  "I thought about everything you said.  I'd like to go out with you again if you still want to go out with me."

Several heartbeats pounded in her ears until he responded, "That depends."  Are you interested in having fun?  Or in having fun and maybe finding more?"

"I liked  your idea of sharing dreams," she said softly, feeling a bit off-balance.  He must have seen that because his arms went around her and then...

He kissed her.

When he raised his head, he murmured, "A kiss to build a dream on.”

Her heart raced as she smiled up at him, finally believing their dreams could come true.

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