Hold Me

by Alexa Verde

  Jonah laughed. “I meant you, Mom, but yes, Shannon is pretty awesome, too. Pretty and awesome.”

  “Thanks.” Shannon beamed.

  “He must’ve taken lessons from you on how to give compliments,” Aileen whispered in Roman’s direction.

  Roman shook his head. “Can’t take the credit. It’s all Jonah. And you.”

  “I love talking to you all, but we should start working.” Shannon pulled disposable purple gloves from her pocket, snapped them on, and strode forward in her brightly colored boots, as if oblivious to the mud.

  Though her attire wasn’t exactly up to the occasion, she obviously wasn’t a spoiled rich girl. Under Aileen’s watchful glance, Jonah put on gloves before proceeding to pick up trash. If it was up to Aileen, she’d make him wear a mask and protective glasses, too.

  She was acutely aware of Roman as he worked beside her. The memories of working with him in her teens, be it repairing a fence or cooking a meatloaf, appeared in front of her. After they’d entered a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, many of such evenings ended up in hugs and kisses, and her heartbeat increased as she remembered every one of them.

  She picked up a dirty foam cup and placed it in the can liner. There would be no such ending today, though the longing inside her told her how much she ached for Roman to kiss her. The environment was far from romantic, but with him, it didn’t matter.

  She needed to keep her feelings in check, but it didn’t mean she should be ungrateful. “Thank you for doing this. Yes, I know it’s because you’re my neighbor, but still—”

  “You’re much more to me than that.” His eyes darkened as he picked up a broken beer bottle nearly the same shade as his eyes. “You know that.”

  Well, she didn’t know. Where were they standing now? Did his feelings for her return or had she wiped them out forever when she’d married Dr. Krasinski?

  The fenced-in backyard was small enough for the four of them to clear the debris fast. That should make Dawg happy. He was restless inside and showed his protest by chewing on a chair. Good thing he was such a fun, loving dog that she’d forgiven him in a heartbeat. And extra good thing he hadn’t tried that stunt at Roman’s townhouse.

  Roman snatched off one of the gloves and fished his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. “I have the address of the next house—or rather, yard—we’re supposed to clean.” He rattled off the address.

  Aileen searched her memory. “Oh, it’s close nearby. We can go there on foot.”

  By some miracle, her sedan had managed to survive the flood. Their automotive shop had cleaned and vacuumed it well, and the car was back in her driveway. Her cousin had picked up his truck after having to replace the battery.

  “Sounds great.” The rest of their company nodded.

  The caretaker in her woke up. “Would you like to drink something before we go, though? A snack or some pastries?”

  “Oh, that would be great!” Shannon clapped with her gloved hands. “But maybe better after we’re done?”

  “Okay.” Jonah looked at Shannon with affection again.

  Aileen swallowed hard. Her son seemed to be falling for this girl already, and she could only pray Shannon wouldn’t crush Jonah’s fragile heart like Aileen had crushed Roman’s.

  Pray?

  Yes, she’d started praying again, though her relationship with the Lord was far from the way it had once been. She still couldn’t fully believe God had forgiven her, still couldn’t surrender her worries to the Lord.

  Her gaze shifted to Roman.

  What about all the loans she’d taken out? If they ever ended up together, would Roman eventually feel as bitter toward her as her father had toward her mother for saddling him with an enormous debt?

  Besides, she’d have to make peace with her past and be certain about Roman’s feelings for her before having a chance at a future with him.

  While Roman was nothing like Dr. Krasinski, she’d lived with a man who didn’t love her for twenty-two years and knew firsthand how painful that was.

  She wouldn’t do it a second time.

  Neither could she hurt Roman by having a relationship and walking away from him again.

  A week later, Roman clenched his teeth as he stared at the pastry booth across from the taco booth where he was helping his sister. Brightly colored booths and stands filled the paved public square in the town center. The fundraiser was in full swing, and despite the cool weather, the sun had still managed to shine for most of the day, and everyone was having a good time. It was difficult to believe that, less than two weeks ago, the town had flooded.

  His mood, however, was far from wonderful as he stared at another man flirting with Aileen and her smiling back at him. Of course, Roman didn’t know every man in town, but this one looked like a tourist. Judging by the expensive suit and the diamond ring on his pinkie finger, a rich—and handsome—tourist.

  Huh?

  “You’re going to break that plate with tacos,” Kristina whispered to him.

  Grrr. He’d be no help to his twin if he behaved like that.

  Roman flashed a smile and handed beef tacos to a mother of three whose roof he’d once repaired. “Here we go. Enjoy. How are your boys doing?”

  The woman beamed at him and for a few seconds talked about her sons’ antics before walking away.

  Kristina winked. “Looks like Aileen’s booth is much busier than mine. Why don’t you go there and help her instead?”

  He had the best sister in the world.

  Should he?

  He hesitated. “I might make it less busy. I thought mostly women had a sweet tooth. But look at all those male customers. Who’d think that men loved pastries this much?”

  Kristina served a taco plate to a teenage girl, then turned to him. “Maybe they are just sweet on our Aileen.”

  Great.

  “You’re not helping,” he grumbled. “Well, neither am I here.”

  Now Aileen’s no-dating policy after marriage didn’t sound so bad. Unless one of the handsome men could persuade her to make an exception.

  Kristina gave him a friendly nudge. “Just go.”

  Since Aileen’s betrayal turned out not to be exactly betrayal, there could be a second chance for them. Or was it false hope? The last week after the town cleanup, she hadn’t seemed interested in rekindling their romance, citing being busy with the store and fundraiser preparation.

  “Go.” This time, Kristina’s nudge wasn’t so friendly. “I’ve never seen you this hesitant.”

  Hmmm, for a petite woman, she could pack a punch. He resisted the urge to rub the place where his twin nudged him and marched to the pastry booth.

  Just in time, because another customer stood there, a man in dressy slacks, leather shoes, and with a brand-name watch. Another tourist?

  Roman stepped behind the counter, waving for Aileen to sit and get some rest. “I can help you, sir. What would you like?”

  The man sized him up, then turned toward the taco booth and leered at Kristina. “Um, I think I’m rather in the mood for beef tacos.” His gaze flicked to the wedding band on Kristina’s hand. “On second thoughts, I’ll take an apple turnover.”

  “Great choice.” Roman served him the pastry.

  Delicious aromas of freshly baked desserts teased his nostrils. Thankfully, he’d enjoyed a healthy helping of Kristina’s tacos—after paying for them, of course—and wasn’t hungry.

  Soon the man was gone, and a group of teen girls rushed to the counter. Things started moving fast. Roman and Aileen worked in tandem, understanding each other without words, like when Aileen had worked for her relative at the pastry store. Only now, things were different between them. Aileen was all smiles—she probably had to be because of the customers—but he knew her well enough to sense the tension.

  Was it because of him? Because she didn’t know how to behave around him anymore?

  He wanted to ask her out, but something was stopping him. Maybe her no-dating-after-marriage rule.
Or maybe something way deeper. She was obviously nervous and putting up a guard—but why?

  Three families with small children lined up, then a group of young women.

  When Roman and Aileen got a few moments of respite, she eyed the remaining pastry and cookie trays. “I hope I brought enough.”

  “Would you like me to drive to the store and bring more?” He’d helped her load pastries into the car in the morning, so he knew where everything was.

  “I’ll see. I might take you up on that later.” She waved to Mrs. MacPherson who was approaching them.

  “I’m here on official business. To thank you for helping out.” A smile pushed up her wrinkles, and her pale blue eyes glowed brighter.

  Again, a new shine shimmered in her eyes. After becoming a widow at fifty-five, Mrs. MacPherson hadn’t dated. But maybe town rumors were right, and there was a new man in her life, though it was strange that even Violet hadn’t managed to ferret out who it was. The flowers Mrs. MacPherson had reportedly received weren’t ordered at the local floral shop, and nobody knew what the card said. Violet’s theory was the man was out of town.

  Mrs. MacPherson seemed years younger.

  Roman hoped, whoever the man was, he’d make her happy.

  She pointed at one of the trays. “Okay, that macaroon, and I’ll get one of your delicious cherry turnovers.”

  Aileen chuckled. “Coming right up. And I’m glad to be here. You did an amazing job organizing everything.” She handed the woman a cherry turnover and a pink macaroon.

  “Don’t forget about the bachelor auction tonight.” The older lady wiggled her finger at him.

  He groaned. “Don’t remind me. Could I just write a check?”

  “And miss all the fun? Of course not.” Mrs. MacPherson’s gaze became pensive. “Maybe I should pick you up and drive you to the City Hall this evening after you change into your auction clothes. In case you decide to flee.”

  “I’m not going to flee.” He squared his shoulders. “I gave you my word.”

  The little imp grinned. “I’m so looking forward to this. And according to Violet, a lot of other women in town are too.”

  Her steps unusually light, she walked away, and somehow Roman didn’t think just the prospect of seeing him at the auction did that.

  He was dying to find out who’d finally won Mrs. MacPherson’s affection. Well, he and the rest of the town, as the rumors were already multiplying.

  He turned to Aileen. The breeze set a strand of her blindingly red hair free, and he had a nearly irresistible urge to tuck it behind her ear. His memory did him a disservice, reminding him how soft her hair once felt under his fingertips, how sweet her lips tasted under his—sweeter than any of her pastries—and how fast his pulse quickened in her presence.

  It beat in double time now, just as it had then.

  Aileen’s eyes widened as he stepped closer.

  “May I have a dozen chocolate cupcakes?” A female voice interrupted his runaway thoughts.

  “Of course.” Aileen recovered faster than he did as she hurried to help the customer, though a light blush on her neck hinted maybe she thought of the same thing he did.

  Their first kiss.

  Many kisses afterward.

  The happy customer trotted off with Aileen’s sweets, and he stepped to her again. “I waited twenty-two years for you—”

  “Really?” She raised an eyebrow.

  Oh, she meant his dating. “Okay, not exactly waited. But now that you’re back and I know what really happened, I don’t want to wait any longer. Have dinner with me at Tía Irma’s.”

  She’d liked that place when they’d been teenagers.

  He held his breath. Was this too soon? They hadn’t worked through their hurts yet, had they?

  She blinked. “What if it doesn’t work out? I don’t want to hurt you again. And if it goes somewhere… serious, I don’t want you to end up with a huge debt because of me. Besides, a lot of people in this town dislike me for leaving you the first time. I don’t want to make it worse.”

  “Will you ever stop worrying? Let God take care of things for you and follow His guidance?” Nearly since the time Roman had been a teenager, he’d been sure God had meant Aileen for him. Then he thought he might’ve been wrong because she’d married Dr. Krasinski. Now the feeling returned.

  “Yes, I worry a lot. But I had to help put food on the table and keep things from falling apart since a young age.”

  “You’re not going to give us a chance, are you?” He cringed at the tone of his voice. A little more, and he’d have called her a coward. A great start. Not!

  After a few torturous moments, she said, “I have something else in mind.”

  Huh? What was that, exactly?

  He didn’t have an opportunity to ask because more customers lined up. This was the first time he nearly wished she weren’t such an outstanding baker. “When will I find out what you have in mind?”

  She gave him a long look before returning her attention to the customer. “Soon. Very soon.”

  Chapter Eleven

  IN THE evening, Aileen squeezed into the crowded hall for the auction. Her tired muscles ached, and fatigue settled in. She’d manned the pastry booth plus gotten through the busy week at the store. But the pastry booth had turned out a great success, so she couldn’t complain. Closing the booth had taken some time, though, and while the auction didn’t start yet, the place was already filled with women eager to bid on Chapel Cove’s most eligible bachelors.

  “Over here! I saved you a seat.” Kristina waved from the third row. Apparently, she’d managed to close her booth earlier than Aileen had hers.

  A few whispers reached her as she made it to the vacant seat near her friend. Not everybody in her hometown understood their friendship, and some probably even judged Kristina for “betraying” her brother. Well, even in close-knit and caring communities like theirs, not everyone was welcoming and kind.

  Or could it be Aileen had just misinterpreted people’s glances and whispers, always expecting the worst?

  “Thank you.” She claimed the seat, then gave her friend a quick hug and shook hands with her husband. Chelsea was probably with her grandparents.

  Strangely enough, of all the people in town, Kristina had become her best friend and biggest supporter after giving her the cold shoulder initially. Aileen didn’t blame her for the cold shoulder. Sure, Kristina had bought from her store, how could someone with her taste for chocolate not? But she’d shown none of her former friendliness. As Roman’s twin, Kristina had probably seen how much Aileen’s betrayal affected him.

  But one day several months ago, Aileen’s car wouldn’t start in a grocery store parking lot. Kristina had been nearby with the little adorable girl, Chelsea, putting groceries in her own car. She’d helped Aileen with jumper cables, and the sedan started.

  Aileen’s lips curved up at what had happened next. To express her gratitude, Aileen had taken a plate with chocolate-filled brioches to Kristina, and they’d started talking. Then Aileen had broken down and told her what really made her marry a different man twenty-two years ago, making Kristina promise she wouldn’t tell her brother.

  Since then, a bond had formed, though fragile at first.

  “But what are you doing at the bachelor auction?” Aileen asked as she leaned back in her seat.

  Obviously, her friend already had the man of her dreams by her side.

  Kristina’s shoulder pressed against hers as she leaned in and whispered, “To bid on my brother, of course.”

  “Excuse me?” Aileen’s brows shot up.

  “Well, to help you bid on him. I’ll contribute, and you’ll bid. According to the grapevine, AKA Violet, bids are supposed to be high. Violet told Nai that was going to be especially the case for bachelor number seven.”

  Aileen swallowed hard, hoping her suspicion was wrong. “Who’s bachelor number seven?” Even with Kristina’s help, she couldn’t bid too high, no matter how much she wanted
to.

  Not that she wanted to.

  She just came to look at the auction. If she won, she wouldn’t make Roman do anything. She just wanted to save him from the humiliation of being at the beck and call of some woman he might not even like.

  He’d better not like!

  Deflated, she glanced around. The richest women in town were here. Violet’s spreading the news worked well. Maybe too well.

  Stop this!

  It was all for a good cause, and Aileen worked up some joy for such a great turnout.

  “Don’t be so worried. Nai and Mateo are contributing, too.” Kristina winked.

  Breathing became a little easier. Probably the air-conditioning kicked up. “I appreciate your generosity, but why?”

  “Well, Nai is a big softie at heart, and Mateo… He said he wanted his cuz to finally be happy.” Kristina smiled as she intertwined her fingers with her husband’s.

  Warm gratitude loosened the cold knots inside Aileen. “But you know our history.”

  “Exactly. I’m one of the few people who know the truth.” Kristina’s eyes saddened.

  “I told Roman,” Aileen breathed out.

  Her friend managed to squeal in a low voice and gave her another hug. “Well, it’s about time.”

  A female behind them hushed at them because the auction already started.

  As each bachelor was auctioned, Aileen’s stomach tied itself in tighter knots. And not only because bids were indeed very high. It was all for a good cause, after all. But would she dare to bid on Roman? It would mean publicly acknowledging she was still interested in him.

  Judging by what people thought of her, it might not fly well. It might even affect her business. Her pastry store was popular now, but what if some customers decided to boycott it, thinking she was out to hurt one of the town’s favorite people for the second time?

  Far-fetched?

  Yes.

  But during the week, as she’d worked closely with Mrs. MacPherson for the fundraiser and admitted the real reason she’d married a different man, Mrs. MacPherson said she was sorry she’d advised Roman against falling for her again. If even kind Mrs. MacPherson, who’d known Aileen well since she’d been a teen, felt that way, what could be said for the rest of town?