Free Waiting for You (RightMatch.com Trilogy) by Kathryn Shay Page B

August evening registered eighty-five on the thermometer.
    Buzzing down the windows, Dana turned off the engine and sat in the van, letting the warm air soothe her. She’d put on a pretty, sleeveless, white blouse and seersucker-striped pants—the coolest she had. As always, she wore slip-on shoes that covered her feet. She wondered briefly what it would feel like to dress for Joe, then chided herself for the thought.
    A gentle knock on the side of the van. “Hi, there.”
    Startled, Dana looked over to see Craig had come to the door. Though she’d seen pictures of him online, he was much more attractive in person—tall, over six feet, with longish blond hair, blue eyes and a nice smile. He gave her a big grin. He didn’t have JoeyD’s dimples, but his smile spread pleasantly across his face.
    She returned it. “Hi, Craig.”
    “Hey, Dana. I gotta say you’re even more beautiful in person.”
    She blushed.
    “You found the spot all right?”
    “Easily.” She glanced at the sidewalk cutting through the grass. “I haven’t been on a picnic in twelve years.”
    She’d never even tried. Since the accident, new experiences made her anxious. She’d found a way to cope in the insular world she’d created for herself but not always outside of it. Those times had been frightening as well as embarrassing. And one thing she was certain of, JoeyD would require her to live in that world.
    “That’s a damn shame.” His voice pitched low, he added, “I’d never put you in a position where you couldn’t function.”
    “Of course not. You know, from your cousin.”
    “Who’s like my brother. We’re both only children.”
    Again, a weak smile. “Then let’s get to it.”
    Without having to be told, he stepped back and allowed her the physical and emotional space to maneuver herself out of the van. Again, she thought of Joey watching her get into her vehicle that day at The Red Apple. The look on his face, the way his fist had clenched and unclenched had told her he was restraining himself from coming to her rescue. Something she absolutely hated.
    As they wheeled and walked down the path, Dana was glad she’d brought her manual chair. She had three, but this one was smaller, weighted at the bottom and navigated the terrain perfectly. Craig made innocuous small talk, and Dana was able to concentrate on where she was going. When they emerged from a copse of trees, she saw the picnic table.
    Perfect. No attached benches. Height designed for wheelchair access. On a concrete slab. It sported a red-checked tablecloth—real, not paper—dishes and cloth napkins. Food, still wrapped, had been set out, and a cooler kissed the legs of the table. “How sweet, Craig.” More than sweet. Thoughtful, insightful, impressive, making Dana feel really special. She’d missed that feeling from a man, too.
    “I’m trying to impress you,” he said as if reading her mind. A really cute smile now. “How am I doing so far?”
    “Great, just great.”
    Now, if she could only get JoeyD out of her mind, tonight would be perfect.
     

 
    Chapter 5
    Inside one of the studio’s classrooms, Dana wheeled in front of the mirrored wall and barre. She favored this room because it had an expanse of windows facing the instruction area. Positioning herself in the middle, poised in front of the mirror, and because she was in the specially equipped wheelchair she used at work, she pressed the pneumatic lever which raised the seat—and her—into a standing position. She didn’t need the chest bar to stay straight, but she activated the one around her thighs for support of her lower body. Due to the nature of her injury, she couldn’t sustain an upright position all day long. The stance put too much pressure on her thigh and back muscles for getting around, though it was a Godsend for her dance instruction. With it, she could demonstrate some moves for the students.
    She stared into the mirror, recalling vividly how she’d cried when she