“I wish I could, but I don’t want to upset my parents.”
His face grew serious. “Where do they think you are tonight?”
I shrugged, feeling guilty. “At work.” I hadn’t outright lied, but I also hadn’t told them the truth.
I supposed I didn’t want anyone making a big deal out of Seth and me. Dating, or whatever this was we were doing, was strange enough. Telling them and everyone else would only make things more awkward.
Besides, now that baby Travis was home and healthy, he deserved to be the center of attention, not me. My parents loved all their grandchildren, but they seemed especially delighted by baby Travis. While the baby was definitely cute, being around him still made me nervous.
Then again, lots of things made me nervous these days—babies, buying the bakery, thunderstorms . . . At the top of the list, however, was Seth.
Things between us felt too good to be true. It couldn’t last, could it? We never fought, and being with him was easy. Never had I known anyone so kind and supportive.
Whenever he came into the bakery with his little brother, Seth’s patience astounded me. Like all twelve-year-olds, Robbie could be moody. Nevertheless, Seth took it all in stride, holding Robbie accountable for his actions but also not being too hard on him.
All this made me love Seth more. And yes, it was true. Somehow, when I wasn’t paying attention, I’d fallen in love with Seth. I hadn’t told him yet. It felt too soon for that. But without warning, my feelings for him had grown.
“Okay.” Seth wrapped his arms around me. “I’ll let you go. But just for the record, I wish you could stay.”
I leaned into him, pressing my face against his chest. “Just for the record, I wish I could stay too.”
Chapter 8
Seth
When I decided to start the paintball business, I set the goal of opening by the first day of summer. At first, working night and day put me way ahead of schedule. Then, Vicki came into my life.
Vicki.
The woman I’d always loved. Never in my wildest dreams had I believed she’d actually become my girlfriend. I’d dreamt about her forever, but I never truly believed she’d ever be interested in me.
Yet, here she was, standing in the paintball barn, helping me sort the latest shipment of equipment. Usually, I stopped working whenever she came out to the property. I mean, why would I want to work when I could spend time with my hot girlfriend?
Today, however, she was helping me unpack the shipment of face masks and chest protectors I’d finally received. We were opening in just two weeks, and I was way behind. While my little brother liked the idea of helping me run a paintball business, he was still just a kid, so not the most helpful partner.
When Vicki offered to help this afternoon, I accepted. One of the many things I loved about her was how she did her best to understand my excitement for paintball even though she didn’t really grasp my enthusiasm.
As we worked, our conversation drifted toward what was happening at the bakery. Apparently, Mrs. Delacroix was having second thoughts about selling, which I found unfair given how much work Vicki had put into buying it.
Vicki tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “She said she’s interested in implementing some of my ideas, but she might want to wait a few years before selling.”
“Really? What do you think about that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Part of me is disappointed, and part of me feels like maybe God is calling me to do something different.”
A sense of unease crept up my spine. “What do you mean?”
She unpacked the face masks and set them on the shelf. “Just that instead of running the bakery, maybe I should go back to school and get my degree in finance.”
“Finance?”
“Yeah. I’ve been taking that finance class at church, and it’s been so helpful. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pay off my credit card and save for a new car, but I’m finally making progress. I’ve also started reading about investments.”
She talked rapidly, as if she couldn’t get the words out quick enough. “I know I need to finish paying off my debt and building up my emergency fund before I begin investing, but learning about all that is fascinating.”
“Hmm.”
“I could help you with your investments if you want.”
That made me laugh. “What investments? It’ll be years before I pay off my credit cards and start investing.”
Vicki stopped working and stared at me. “Do you have a lot of credit card debt?”
“Yeah. It’s how I’ve been paying for all this.”
“I thought you were using the money from your parents.”
“I was, then I had the new septic system installed, and that was the end of their money.”
“So, you’ve been building your whole business using credit cards?”
I nodded, not appreciating the judgment in Vicki’s voice. “I know it’s not ideal, but once we open, I’ll be able to pay off everything.”
“What about your truck?”
“What about it?”
“Have you thought about selling it and buying something cheaper?”
I frowned. “Why would I want to do that?”
“So you’d have money for the business.”
I broke down the box that’d contained the face masks and tossed it onto the pile with the flattened boxes. “Selling the truck wouldn’t help because I owe more than it’s worth.”
“You’re upside down with your truck?” She spoke as if I was the stupidest person in the world.
“Don’t talk to me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I don’t know what I’m doing and you need to take over.”
She pushed out a slow breath. “Have you thought about getting a small business loan? If you’re going to borrow money, that would be the better way to go. The interest would be a lot less compared to your credit cards.”
I opened another box and began arranging the equipment on the shelves. “I tried to get a loan, but my credit wasn’t good enough. That’s why I’ve had to use my cards.”
She shook her head. “You must feel a tremendous amount of pressure with all that debt.”
Feeling judged, my anger rose. When I glanced at Vicki, however, I saw only compassion.
“Vicki, baby, it’s going to be okay. Seriously. There’s no need to be upset about this. Come here.” I opened my arms, and she walked into them. Kissing the top of her head, I inhaled her sweet scent. “I’m touched you’re worried about me, but there’s no need. Everything’s going to be fine.”
She leaned her head against my chest and blew out a slow breath. I pulled her tight and repeated what I’d already said. “Everything is going to be okay.”
She nodded. “All right. But if there’s anything I can do to help, just ask.”
“I will.”
Deep down, I did believe everything was going to be okay in the end, but sometimes I worried about the amount of money I was spending. Sometimes, I woke in the middle of the night, panicked that my business would fail and I wouldn’t be able to pay back the money.
If that happened, I had no idea what I would do. It wasn’t like Abuela could support me for the rest of my life.
*
The next night, I had dinner with Robbie and Abuela. I usually ate with them several times a week. Since getting together with Vicki, however, I hadn’t been as attentive.
As I entered the kitchen of my childhood home, the smell of sofrito greeted me. Tonight, Abuela was making pollo guisado, my favorite chicken dish.
“You’re too thin,” she said, greeting me with a kiss. “Why haven’t you been eating?”
“Abuela, I eat all the time. I’ve just been working so much, trying to get everything ready for opening day.”
She patted my cheek. “Don’t work so hard. Take time to enjoy life a little.”
“Okay.” I grinned. Abuela was a constant contradiction. Whenever
I worked, she told me I worked too hard. Whenever I sat on the couch reading, she’d tell me I needed to get up and do something with my life.
While I definitely missed many aspects of living with her and Robbie, I didn’t miss her hovering. I knew that was just her way of showing she loved me, but sometimes it was too much.
“Come help me peel the plantains.” Abuela returned to the counter.
“Pollo guisado and tostones? I didn’t realize we were having a feast.”
“It’s always a feast when you come home.”
Smiling, I washed my hands at the sink and dried them on the tea towel that Abuela’s sister had brought home from her last cruise. Titi Pricilla loved cruises and often invited my grandmother, but Abuela always said she was too busy raising us boys.
A long time ago, I decided that once the business started making money, I was going to pay for Abuela to go on a cruise with her sister. In fact, maybe I could pay for both Abuela and my aunt. I could even arrange to have fresh flowers waiting in their room when they arrived with a note that said, “Enjoy your vacation. Don’t worry about a thing. It’s my treat.”
“What are you smiling about?” Abuela handed me a knife to slice the plantains she’d peeled.
I pulled the cutting board toward me and sliced the plantains into one-inch chunks. “I’m just happy to see you.”
She turned up the oil on the stove. “I’m happy to see you too. Robbie is going to be thrilled. He’s missed you.”
“Where is he?”
“Skateboarding with his friends.” She glanced out the window.
I followed her gaze even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to see my brother. While the playground equipment was right behind our house, the skate park was on the other side of the park.
Abuela placed the plantain slices I’d chopped in the oil. “He’ll be home soon. He’s excited to show you the new course he designed.”
“He designed a course? Do you know what it is?”
“Something to do with tree houses, but I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it.”
For the next few minutes, Abuela and I worked in companionable silence, frying the plantains, removing them from the oil, flattening them with the tostonera, then frying them one last time before dousing them with a generous amount of salt.
The door opened just as we finished, and Robbie sauntered inside. When he saw me, his face lit up. “Seth. You made it.”
“Of course, I made it. I told you I was coming.”
He set his skateboard on the floor. “I know, but last time you didn’t.”
It was true. Last week, when I was supposed to come over for dinner, Vicki’s class had been canceled at the last minute. So, I’d canceled with Robbie and my grandmother. I justified it by telling myself I was going to have Robbie all weekend while Abuela drove up to Temple to see her sister. But then Robbie had gotten sick, so Abuela had stayed home even though I said she could go.
I offered my brother a sad smile. “I’m sorry I stood you up last time.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay.”
It wasn’t, and I was determined for it not to happen again. Just because I was wholeheartedly, irrationally in love didn’t give me an excuse to break a commitment to him.
Maybe it was time for Vicki and me to take our relationship to the next level by going public. That would make things so much easier.
“Hey, do you want to see my plan for the tree house course?”
“Yeah. Definitely.”
Robbie grinned, revealing the same little gap between his teeth that I’d had before braces. “I’ll go get it.”
“Take your skateboard,” Abuela said, stirring the rice.
I almost asked where his helmet was, but I didn’t want to be overbearing, so I said nothing. As he ran to his room to get his plan, I helped Abuela carry the food to the table, thinking how surprised everyone was going to be to hear about Vicki and me.
*
The next day, while I was fixing the door on the newly installed bathroom in the barn, Vicki arrived with a huge smile on her face. “I have a present for you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” She pulled a book from her purse and handed it to me. “This is what we’re using in my finance class.”
“Oh, thanks.” I turned the book over and skimmed the back cover copy, failing to understand why she was so excited to give me a finance book.
“And . . .” She rapped her hands on her jeans to create a drumroll. “There’s more.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. This book comes with free enrollment in the six-month finance class at the Rose Island Community Church, beginning next week.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I bought the class for you. I want you to go as my guest. I think it’d be good for you.”
I pressed down my irritation and set the book on the counter. “Thank you, but I don’t have time to attend a class right now.”
“That’s what I thought when my dad signed me up and forced me to go. I really didn’t want to take it, but it’s been so incredibly helpful. Honestly, it’s changed my life.”
“I’m happy for you, but the only thing that’s going to change my life is getting the business up and running. Taking a class would just prolong that.”
“But this class will make your business stronger by teaching you so much.”
“You think I don’t know what this guy is all about?” I tapped the book with my finger. “Spend less than you earn. Stop using your credit cards. Don’t borrow money. I get it. It’s good advice but not very practical for me right now. I have to spend money to get my business going.”
“I know, but maybe the class would give you some good ideas.”
I folded my arms across my chest and reminded myself that Vicki was just trying to help. “Look—”
“Please just take the class, Seth. I’ve already paid for it, and I can’t get my money back. I think if you went—”
“I’m not going to go. I don’t have time.”
“Seth.”
“Vicki.”
We stared at each other, both of us feeling like the other person was wrong. I didn’t want things to escalate, so I said, “Look. I know you want me to take the class, and maybe I will in the future, but I don’t need you to pay for me, okay? I’m not some little kid that needs your guidance.”
Her eyes softened. “Is that why you’re upset? I don’t think you’re some little kid that needs my guidance. I was honestly just trying to help you.”
“I know, and I’m grateful for your help.”
“But you’re not going to take it.”
“No, I’m not.”
We’d reached an impasse. For a moment, neither one of us spoke. Then, smiling, she shook her head. “You’re a very stubborn man, Seth Watson. You know that?”
I grinned. “And you’re not?”
“No. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a woman. Not a man.”
I laughed and hooked my finger through her belt loop to tug her toward me. “Oh, I noticed all right.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close.
She leaned into me. “Good. Did you also notice that I’m not as stubborn as you?”
I threw my head back and laughed, thinking that was something we could talk about later. Arguing with Vicki was something I preferred to avoid.
Chapter 9
Vicki
One evening while Seth and I were cooking dinner at his place, I noticed a catalog sitting on the kitchen counter. “What’s this?” I asked, flipping through pages of house plans.
Seth glanced up from the stove where he was sautéing onions and peppers in a cast-iron skillet for shrimp fajitas. “I found it at the used bookstore today. Robbie wants to build a tree house course. I don’t know if you noticed, but we don’t really have many tree house building trees out here.”
“Yeah. That might be a problem.”
; “I thought maybe I could get him excited about building a Wild West theme. There are some plans for garden sheds in there that might work.”
I leafed through the catalog, looking at the garden sheds. Then, I turned to the beginning and went page by page. “Oh, look at this one. The Hazlewood 1945.” I held up the plan for Seth to see. The house was a modern five-bedroom with a central great room and an enormous kitchen. “Look how beautiful it is. This is my dream house.”
Seth turned down the heat on the stove and scooted next to me so we could look at the plan together. “This is your dream house?”
“Yes. Look at all these windows. Can you imagine all the natural light and view you’d have? And look at the porch. I absolutely love this big wraparound porch. You could put a barbecue here and maybe even a hot tub.”
“A hot tub would be nice.” He chuckled. “And five bedrooms? I guess you want a lot of kids.”
“What? No.”
“No?” He frowned. “You don’t want a big family?”
I shook my head and tried not to think about Allie and her brothers. “No, I don’t.”
Seth stared at me a beat before returning to the stove. He finished cooking the vegetables until the edges were charred. Then he added seasonings and tossed in the shrimp. “I want a big family.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. At least three kids. Maybe six.”
“Six?”
“Sure. I think six kids would be a lot of fun.”
My heart thudded. “Why would you want six kids?”
He shrugged and gave a little laugh. “You know that show, The Brady Bunch?”
“Yeah?”
“For Christmas one year, my dad gave my mom the DVD box set of all The Brady Bunch episodes. We spent the whole Christmas break watching it. Ever since then, I thought having a big family would be a lot of fun.”
I closed the book containing the house plans and set it aside. “Marcus watched some of those episodes with you. He came home from your house and started calling me Cindy until I threatened to beat him up.”
Seth shrugged. “Yeah, you’re more of a Jan than a Cindy.”
I laughed.
Seth smiled. “My mom said she and my dad would’ve had more kids had they not gotten such a late start.”
Vicki’s Gift Page 6