“This from the man who said I should be more career-oriented?”
“Only if you’re in the right career,” he countered.
Summer looked at Connie, ignoring Derek’s remark. “Where’s Joel?”
“He had a late meeting tonight and had to skip the show. He’s going to pick me up later to take me dancing,” Connie explained. Dressed in a shimmery gold shirtwaist dress of raw silk, Co
nnie glowed from her artfully arranged red curls to her gold spike-heeled sandals, and Summer was well aware that the glow was because Connie would be seeing Joel soon. Summer knew the feeling well enough to recognize it—Connie was already on the verge of falling in love with Joel Tanner. Summer prayed that this relationship would work out for Connie, who deserved happiness as much or more than anyone Summer knew.
“We’ll spend a few minutes at your cast party, then take Connie home and go on to my place,” Derek informed Summer, then added hastily, “If that’s all right with you.”
Summer smiled at him. “You’re learning,” she murmured.
“I’m trying, sweetheart. I’m trying.”
Summer could not have said later what went on at the exuberant party in the Halloran House recreation room. She chatted and laughed and made all the correct responses when spoken to, but all she could remember later was the way Derek looked at her with the silvery smile in his eyes. She felt as if she were in some wonderful dream, as if only that could explain the way she and Derek had met and fallen almost instantly in love, as improbable as that might be. She had tried to give him time to be sure, yet here he was, his eyes telling her that she had only been wasting time. The sense of relief was overwhelming.
Derek left her side only once, to procure her a glass of punch. Clay took advantage of the opportunity to tease Summer about her dangerous lover. “How long have you been seeing the guy, anyway?” he asked.
Blushing a little, Summer replied, “Two weeks. Sort of.”
“Oh.” Clay nodded. “Two weeks, sort of. Very interesting.”
She laughed. “It’s crazy, I know, but it’s also wonderful. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m walking on air tonight.”
“I noticed,” he replied with a smile. “I’m standing here green with envy.”
Summer patted his arm. “It will happen for you, Clay. When you find the right woman, you’ll know exactly how I feel.”
Clay shook his head, looking around the room full of young people and their parents. “It would take some special kind of woman to accept my dedication to troubled kids,” he mused aloud. “I’m not even sure I have anything left over to offer. These kids are my life, Summer.”
She sighed. “Now I’m the one who’s envious. I’d like to know that I was making a real contribution somewhere, like you are.”
“I’ve given you a suggestion,” he reminded her. “The kids need someone like you on their side, Summer. Think about it.”
“I will,” she promised, and then Derek joined them, driving the conversation from her immediate thoughts as he drew her possessively to his side.
SUMMER’S EUPHORIA WAS abruptly shattered during the drive home, when all of her fears returned to threaten her relationship with Derek.
Summer on one arm and Connie on the other, Derek escorted them to his Lincoln. They all slid into the front seat, where Summer snuggled happily against Derek’s side and chattered gaily about the show and the generous promises of donations it had generated afterward.
“The parents all looked so proud,” she mused, then reluctantly reversed herself. “Well, most of them. I heard one father tell his son that it all seemed like a waste of time to him. That’s probably the kind of comment that put the boy in Halloran House in the first place. Clay heard it, too, and I could tell that it made him angry.”
“Summer, you can’t expect miracles in one evening, from one little talent show,” Derek pointed out with gentle logic. “Those families have long-term problems that have led to their children’s need for help. The social workers and psychologists will do everything they can to help solve those problems. And the money taken in tonight will finance those therapy sessions for a while longer, so the show did bring about results of one kind.”
“You’re right, of course. It’s just that I’ve seen the sweetness behind the defiance and bluster in those kids, and I want so much to help them.”
“Then you should,” Derek told her flatly. “Stop wasting your time in that accounting department and start working with kids.”
“Uh-oh,” Connie muttered. “Here it comes.” She sank down into her seat.
“Derek, I can’t just find a job teaching. I’d have to go back to school myself first.”
“So? You’re only twenty-five. You’ve got a few good years ahead of you, Summer.”
“More helpful advice, Derek?” she grumbled, glaring up at him through her lashes.
“I was merely making a suggestion,” he answered irritably.