A Mother for Cindy Page 11

  But the rapid rise and fall of her chest attested to the effect their encounter had on her. Something more than friendship could develop between them if he allowed it. It wasn’t fair of him to take this any further. He would be gone in a month’s time and Jesse deserved more than that. She deserved a husband like her first one, who would love her totally and be committed to a relationship that would last a lifetime. He had learned the hard way he wasn’t that kind of man. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.

  “That’s funny.” Jesse frowned. “Where’s Gramps going?”

  Nick followed the direction Jesse pointed and saw the older man hurrying toward the house he rented. Jesse’s grandfather still clutched the cooler with the fish they had caught. The way he held himself suggested one angry man. “My house? Why?”

  “Oh, no. Look.”

  Boswell brought two tall glasses outside and handed one to a woman. “Who is that?”

  “I think it’s Susan Reed and Gramps isn’t a happy camper. We’d better hurry and intercede.” She hastened her steps.

  “Unless we can fly we won’t make it in time.”

  Nick watched Jesse’s grandfather come to halt in front of Boswell who sat next to Susan on the deck. The old man’s shouts could probably be heard in town or across the lake.

  “Oh, my.” Jesse began to jog.

  As Nick and Jesse approached the trio, Nate and Cindy stood between Gramps and Boswell with Susan off to the side wringing her hands and shaking her head.

  “So this was why you didn’t come with us fishing. Trying to horn in on my gal.”

  “Gerard Daniels, I am not your gal.”

  “Yes, you are.” Gramps flicked a glance toward Susan before returning his steely look to Boswell, almost toe to toe with him.

  “No, I am not. I invited Boswell to experience a good American dinner at my house.”

  This time Jesse’s grandfather turned his full attention to Susan. “You invited him? On our night?”

  Jesse stepped forward before a war erupted on Nick’s deck. “Nate, why don’t you show Cindy your snake?”

  “She’s seen it,” Nate replied as though there wasn’t anything that could possibly drag him away from the action.

  “Nate!”

  Except the warning tone in his mother’s voice, Nick thought with amusement.

  “Oh, all right.” Nate huffed. “I don’t see why I have to show her something she’s already seen.”

  “Daddy?” His daughter whined, clearly not wanting to leave either if her eager expression was any indication.

  “Go on, Cindy. We’ll be over in a minute.”

  Nate and Cindy stomped off, whispering between themselves, while Jesse’s grandfather pressed his lips together and glared at Susan.

  When the children were inside Jesse’s house, her grandfather said, “Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Susan Reed?”

  Susan returned his glare, folding her arms across her chest. “Absolutely nothing. I’m going home, Gerard Daniels. Alone.” She swung to Boswell, smiled at him and said, “Thank you for a lovely evening. I’ll see your stamp collection another time.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  Susan shook her head. “I can find my own way. But thanks, anyway.”

  When she was gone, Jesse’s grandfather moved to block Boswell’s path into the house. “Stamp collection? When trying to lure a woman home, couldn’t you come up with something better than that?”

  Boswell straightened his shoulders and looked down his nose at Jesse’s grandfather. “I would put my stamp collection up against anyone else’s around here. I have some rare stamps.”

  “I just bet you do. Is that what you told Susan to get her to come back here after dinner?”

  Boswell puffed out his chest. “What I say to Susan is none of your business. Now if you will kindly move, I am retiring for the evening.” He didn’t wait for Jesse’s grandfather to step aside. He pushed past him and was inside the sliding glass doors before Gramps could recover and say anything.

  He stood staring at Boswell’s retreating back, clenching and unclenching his hands. “Well, I never,” he muttered.

  Jesse lay her hand on Gramps’s shoulder. “You’d better clean the fish before they spoil.”

  Gramps frowned. “I don’t understand Susan anymore. Why would she go out with him?” He flicked his wrist toward the sliding glass door.

  “Gramps, have you ever talked to Susan about how you feel?”

  He stared at her as though she had suddenly sprouted a second head. “Why would I do that? I’m not good with words. She should know how I feel.”

  “A woman likes to hear a man tell her. Don’t expect her to read your mind.”

  He whirled about and stalked toward Jesse’s house. “I’ve got fish to clean. The rods and reels are still on the pier. I don’t have time to tell a woman how I feel.”

  Jesse’s posture seemed to deflate.

  “Are you all right, Jesse?” Nick touched her arm.

  She jerked away as though surprised to find him there. For a few seconds her weariness lined her face then gradually a smile transformed it into a picture of serenity. “Yes. Gramps sometimes takes an extra dose of my patience, but I love him.”

  He held out his hand to her. “Come on. I’ll help you get the fishing equipment. I want to get my half of the fish, too.”

  “Half! I don’t recall you catching half.”

  The fit of her hand within his comforted him. He began walking toward the pier. “But I was hoping you would take pity on a novice and give me more than my share.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll do one better. We’ll have a fish fry tomorrow night and you, Boswell and Cindy are invited.”

  “Are you sure about Boswell and Gramps being together?”

  “They’re two grown men and they’ll have to learn to behave around each other.”

  “Just because you declare it doesn’t mean it will happen.”

  “I’ll have a talk with Gramps and point out the fact young ears will be listening. That usually works.”

  The growing darkness cloaked him in a sense of well-being. Even though his leg ached and he found himself limping more profoundly, being next to Jesse made the pain insignificant. The sound of the water lapping against the pier calmed him. The fresh scent of nature soothed his senses. But most of all, Jesse’s presence pacified the restlessness within.

  At the end of the pier where the rods and reels lay, Nick paused, turning toward Jesse. The shadows of dusk didn’t hide her smile. The gleam in her eyes drew him a step closer. Linking both hands with hers, he laced their fingers and brought them up between them.

  The pounding of his heart drove all rational sense from his mind as he leaned toward her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Nick paused. A whisper separated Jesse from him. If she moved even an inch, their lips would touch. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch, thumping against her rib cage so loudly she wondered if he could hear it.

  Releasing her hands, he brought his up to cup her face, so lovingly she wanted to melt against him. His gaze linked to hers as their fingers had been only seconds before, a tangible connection.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  His softly spoken compliment robbed her of coherent thought. She stood before him mesmerized by his eyes, dark pools that reflected a painful past, an inner struggle. He fought to mask his expression but she saw his anguish, hidden from most.

  “Today was fun.”

  She latched on to his comment as though it were a lifeline. “Yes, it was.” Her mouth dry, she licked her lips. “Nate got a kick out of showing you how to fish.”

  He grinned, tiny lines fanning out from his eyes. “I noticed your grandfather laughing a few times at my poor attempt to cast a line.”

  “That’s why they tolerate me. I’m great at untangling lines.”

  “I noticed.”

  The space between them shrunk. Their breaths tangled. His hands combed throug
h her short hair and pressed her closer. His mouth settled over hers, and she thought the world had stopped spinning. She clung to him and savored the feel of his lips as they moved over hers.

  When he pulled back, she realized she was losing her battle to remain detached. She cared about Cindy, but she also cared about Nick—too much. They lived in different worlds. His revolved around his work in Chicago. Hers revolved around her faith and Sweetwater and that wasn’t going to change. She didn’t see any way for their two worlds to mesh together.

  Quickly before she lost her nerve, she stepped back. “Why did you do that?” Why did you make me care about you?

  His brows slashed downward. “I don’t know why. It seemed the right thing to do at the time.” Moving away even farther, Nick bent and picked up the rods and reels, cradling them in his arms.

  “I consider you a friend.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  “But that is all. There is no future in anything else.”

  A frown carved his features with harsh lines. “It was just a kiss, Jesse. I agree there is no future for us. You’re the marrying kind and I don’t want to get married.”

  His words hurt. “I don’t, either. Besides, you live in Chicago and I live here. I won’t leave Sweetwater. My life is here.” Her voice rose a level.

  “My life is in Chicago,” Nick said in a near shout.

  She placed her fists on her waist and glared at him. “I like a quiet, simpler life.”

  He started to say something, stopped and snapped his mouth closed. Then he chuckled. “Actually I’m beginning to value quiet and simple,” he whispered, scanning the area.

  The tension siphoned from Jesse. She didn’t normally blow up at a person for no reason and a kiss wasn’t really a good reason. “Sorry. I think I overreacted. You took me by surprise.”

  “I took myself by surprise. It was a nice kiss, though.”

  Something inside of her melted as she thought back to the kiss. “Yes, it was.”

  “Still friends?”

  She nodded.

  “Good.” He released a long sigh. “Because Cindy adores you.”

  “And Nate adores you.”

  “I’m thinking about seeing if the Millers will sell this house. I’d like to buy it and use it as a summer home.”

  His declaration shocked her. Her mouth parted but no words came out. He would return each summer! The mere thought sent her mind whirling, her pulse rate speeding.

  “I haven’t said anything to Cindy yet so I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t. I’m not sure if I will, but this is a good place for her. We both could use some down time where it is quiet and we can regroup as a family.”

  Jesse heard his explanation, but the words didn’t really register. She was still trying to work through the fact she would see him every summer—just long enough to begin to care—whoa! She wasn’t going to go there. If he did buy the house, she would deal with it when it occurred.

  “What do you think?”

  “I think Sweetwater is a good place for Cindy. She has already made some friends, and Nate will be excited if you come back every summer.”

  “And you?”

  Oh, dear, why did he have to ask that question? “Of course,” she finally answered, her throat thick with emotions she was trying to deny.

  “It’s important to get along with your neighbors. There isn’t anyone on the left and with you on the right I know this would be a good place.”

  “You can say that after what we witnessed earlier between Gramps and Boswell?”

  “I guess I’d better get Boswell’s opinion. He’s invaluable and I wouldn’t want to lose him.”

  “Gramps can have that effect on people. I really don’t blame Susan for looking elsewhere. She and Gramps have been dating on and off for several years. She’s wanted to take the relationship to the next level and my grandfather has been dragging his feet. Commitment shy.”

  “I can understand that.”

  “Here, let me help you with those rods.”

  “Nah, I’ve got them.” He glanced about. “I guess we’d better head to the house. It’s almost completely dark.”

  She hadn’t noticed how dark it had become. The light at the end of the pier that automatically came on gave off enough illumination that she could see Nick’s face. But the surrounding landscape was obscured as though someone had thrown a dark blanket over them, shielding them in their own world.

  “I’m surprised that Nate and Cindy haven’t come out to see where we are.” Jesse began walking toward the end of the pier.

  Nick fell into step next to her. “They’re probably quizzing your grandfather about what happened.”

  “I hadn’t thought about that. We’d better hurry. No telling what he will tell them.” She quickened her pace.

  Nick placed the rods and reels down by the back door. When Jesse entered the kitchen, she found Nate, Cindy and Gramps sitting at the table, drinking sodas and eating some oatmeal cookies. She thought of the caffeine in the sodas and groaned.

  “Gramps, Nate isn’t supposed to have a soda this late.”

  “So upset, it must have slipped my mind.”

  Nate quickly downed the rest of his can. “I’ll go to bed on time.”

  “But will you go to sleep on time?”

  “Sure.” Her son flashed her a grin, popped the last bit of cookie into his mouth and leaped to his feet. “Come on, Cindy. I’m going to feed my animals. Wanna help?”

  “Yes.” Cindy grabbed her last cookie and stuffed it into her mouth as they raced from the room.

  “I guess I’ll be leaving, too.” Gramps pushed himself to his feet and scooped up the remaining cookies to take with him.

  Jesse stared at the mess left on the kitchen table, crumbs, empty pop cans. “What just happened here?”

  “I think it’s called fleeing the scene of the crime.”

  “We’ll be lucky if they go to sleep before three in the morning. They have enough sugar and caffeine in them for ten kids.” Jesse retrieved a dishcloth from the sink and wiped off the table.

  Nick tossed the cans into the recycling bin. “When Cindy doesn’t sleep, I don’t sleep.”

  “That’s being a full-fledged parent. Never rest unless your child is resting. I’ve worked on many a doll in the middle of the night. Not a bad time to read, either.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind when I’m up tonight. Better yet, I’ll call you and you can keep me company.”

  “Sure,” she said, not really thinking he would.

  But six hours later Jesse answered the phone on the first ring, nearly jumping out of the chair she sat in. “Hello,” she said breathlessly.

  “Hi. I thought you’d be up, and when I saw your light on in the den, I figured I would take you up on keeping me company.”

  “Nick?” she asked, knowing full well it was him.

  “Who else would be calling you this late?”

  Jesse glanced at the clock. “It’s three!” She had been so busy on her latest doll for the Fourth of July auction at church that she had lost track of time.

  “Very good.”

  “Cindy’s still up?”

  “No, she went to bed hours ago.”

  “Then why are you up?”

  “Couldn’t sleep. I guess all that talk about not sleeping put the suggestion in my brain. Is Nate still up?”

  She listened for any sound coming from upstairs. His room was right above the den. “No, I guess he’s finally gone to sleep. You know, I could have been Gramps. He doesn’t always sleep well.”

  “I saw you through the window.”

  Jesse lifted her head and stared at the darkness outside. She often forgot to draw the drapes. Rising, she walked to the window and looked toward Nick’s house. With a phone to his ear, he watched her. She waved. He waved back.

  “You really should pull your curtains.”

  “This isn’t Chicago.”

  “I know. Every day I am reminded of how differ
ent Sweetwater is from Chicago.” He moved away from the window. “What are you doing? You look so intense working at that table.”

  “Making a doll for the church benefit.”

  “When is it? I might have to buy it. I know Cindy would want an original doll by Jesse.”

  “It’s for an auction and it’s on the Fourth of July. The money goes toward our outreach program so I hope you will come and force the bidding up high.” She missed seeing him in the window. Reluctantly Jesse pulled the drapes, then returned to her chair at the card table.

  “You’ve got yourself a date,” Nick’s deep raspy voice came through the receiver.

  The word date sent a shiver down her spine. She clutched the phone tighter to her ear and squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds, reliving the kiss. Her mouth tingled. “Maybe Cindy would like to help me make a doll she can donate to the auction.”

  “I’ll ask her. And while you keep my daughter entertained, I’ll take your son fishing. I went online when I couldn’t sleep and got some information about fishing that should help me. I’m determined to catch one this time.”

  “Sure. We can add them to the fish fry.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  She heard him yawn and yawned herself. “We’d better get some sleep or we won’t be much good tomorrow.”

  “Sweet dreams, Jesse.”

  She sat for a long moment, her hand lingering on the receiver, visualizing Nick in his house, dressed comfortably, with a lazy smile on his face and a dancing gleam in his eyes, his feet propped up on an ottoman. At home. In Sweetwater.

  She sighed and wiped the picture from her mind. Too dangerous.

  * * *

  Jesse sat at the kitchen table with her hand cupping her chin and her elbow on the wooden surface. Her eyelids began to slide closed even though Nate and Gramps were talking—had been nonstop for the past fifteen minutes. The drone of their voices lulled her to sleep—sleep she should have gotten the night before. Even when she went to bed, she’d tossed about on her mattress as though she were a small boat on an ocean caught in a big storm. And at the center of the storm was Nick Blackburn!

  “Mom!”

  Nate shook her shoulder, rousing her from her dreamlike state. She straightened, blinking. “What?”