“Okay, I’ll be right here.”
As Kimmy skedaddled through the doorway, Nina sank into the empty chair and caught her breath. She’d warned herself many times to keep her emotions in check, but it seemed she’d lost her ability to hang on to her heart. Kimmy had captured her from day one, and Doug’s vulnerability was a close second.
He seemed to approach everything with caution when she first met him though he’d opened up a bit. Still, she had her own barricades too, and she’d tried to grant him the same privacy. Yet being on the other end, she disliked it.
Everything had a good explanation. Doug’s life seemed to revolve around Kimmy, his sister and his mother. Everyone but himself. Since they’d met, his reaction mirrored a child finding a new friend or getting a new toy. He had something to entertain him for a change. She didn’t have to worry about Doug getting romantic ideas. Neither of them were ready for anything. Now all she had to do was convince her prancing pulse and hitching heart.
“Nina.” Kimmy’s call jerked her from the chair.
She hurried to the living room. “Is he here already?”
“No. There’s a lady coming here.”
As the words left Kimmy’s mouth, she saw Rema climb the porch step. Curious, she reached the door before she rang the bell. “Hi, Rema. What’s up?”
She grinned with a shrug. “Nothing important. I thought I’d stop by and say hello again.”
Though poor timing, she wanted to be sociable and pushed open the screen. “Come in. I’m waiting for our dinner to be delivered, but he’s not here yet.”
Rema stepped inside and spotted Kimmy. “Hi.” She gave Kimmy a weak wave. “Isn’t this Doug’s child...niece. I think that’s it.”
“He’s my uncle.” Kimmy studied Rema’s face. “Do you know him?”
“Not really. I met him at the street party we had at the beginning of September. I think you were playing with Carly.”
Kimmy nodded. “Can I sit on the porch and wait for Uncle Doug?”
“Sure you can.” Nina welcomed her request, fearing that Rema might say something about her friendship with Doug or ask questions.
Kimmy bounded to the porch, and Nina turned to her surprise visitor. “Would you like to sit?”
“I know you’re busy so I won’t stay.” She checked the nearest chair and sat. “I hope you’re learning your way around the city. I know you’re new here.”
“I’ve done quite well. That’s what’s nice about a small town. I have the city map and it’s been helpful.”
“And you seem to be very friendly with Doug. I’m sure he knows a lot, too.”
“Yes, he’s been very helpful. I’m helping him with Kimmy sometimes when he has to work late...like today.”
“Ahh. I see.” She grinned. “Still, if you need any directions or recommendations, just ask.” She looked away and seemed to sink into thought. “I’m not sure how long I’m staying here. Maybe I’ll get the house. It’s hard to know with a divorce settlement coming up.”
“Divorce. I’m so sorry.” Her lungs depleted for a second, thinking of her own trials. “If you need any advice on that, I’ve been through one. Not pretty and not what I wanted.”
Rema perked up. “Me, either. Far from it. I was blind to Trey’s unfaithfulness much longer than I should have been.”
Rema’s eyes searched hers. “That must have hurt.”
“Very. Plus I felt stupid. Then your divorce wasn’t because of cheating?”
She drew back a moment, looking for words to explain but said nothing. “No, not that kind of unfaithful...” The statement made no sense to her so Rema couldn’t possibly understand what she meant.
“People can be unfaithful in many ways. Dreams they ignore. Promises they don’t keep.”
Her eyes widened. “You understand. I thought I’d spoken in circles.”
“No. I don’t suppose you want to talk about it?” A frown rose on her face. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that question.”
Though she might be able to trust Rema, she couldn’t. She hadn’t trusted anyone except Angie, and she hoped that Angie could keep that between the two of them. She wanted no one’s pity for being childless. “You’re right. He broke the basic promises of the marriage vows to love in sickness and health and in time of trouble. When that happens, doubt and questions smother the love that had been there. They’re emotions I don’t want to relive.”
Rema rose and rested her hand on Nina’s shoulder. “I don’t want you to relive any of it. I’ve been struggling with the same. You have a friend who understands.” She gave her a pat and stepped away. “Doug will be here soon so I’ll say goodbye. Remember if you need anything just ask.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your stopping by.”
“I enjoyed it.” She gave a wave and stepped outside.
Nina returned to the kitchen and grasped the teakettle. She could make decaf coffee, but tea seemed more appropriate for a Chinese dinner. She turned on the burner so it would be ready and placed a glass on the table for Kimmy’s milk.
Finished with all she could do until he arrived, she strode back to the living room, and as she entered, Kimmy let out a yell. “He’s here.”
Nina spun around and hurried toward the door but Kimmy swung it open, and jiggled behind the screen as Doug appeared on the porch. A strong cold wind followed Doug into the living room.
“It’s getting nippy out there.” He approached her carrying a large bag and wearing a broad smile. “We won’t go hungry.”
Nina shook her head. “Should I call around and invite the neighbors?”
Doug winked. “We look forward to leftovers.” He turned his head toward Kimmy. “Don’t we?”
She dragged her tongue over her lips and nodded.
Still astonished at the size of the sack, Nina reached toward it, but he gave a quick head shake. “I’m fine. Just point the way.”
She motioned toward the kitchen and swung ahead of him, knowing she needed more dinnerware. She stood at the counter, watching him unload the containers and trying to keep her reaction to a minimum. Finally she gave up and laughed.
“Chinese has a lot to offer.” He lifted the boxes and listed the contents. “Egg rolls, wonton soup, fried rice, pepper steak, chicken with Chinese vegetables, almond cookies and fortune cookies.”
Nina turned around to hide her grin as she drew out soup bowls and small plates. Not only from the amount of food but from the joy on his face. Today, Doug’s quiet demeanor had blossomed, and she loved it. Her spirit lifted, observing his reaction to something as simple as setting out the multitude of cartons.
She placed the dishes on the table, and then returned for soup spoons and large serving spoons. Finally they gathered around the table, and as she opened her mouth to speak, Kimmy folded her hands and bowed her head while Doug followed. Closing her mouth, she waited and listened to Kimmy’s little prayer.
“Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.”
Doug joined in the amen, and she sat in silence, wanting to say it, too, but it felt too strange. She had no idea if God wanted to hear an amen from someone who had drifted so far away from Him.
When she lifted her head, Doug’s eyes were on her, a look of curiosity on his face. “Are you all right?”
This time she did bite the edge of her lip before managing to speak. “Thank you, Kimmy, for the prayer.”
The child gave her a fleeting smile and plucked an egg roll from the container with her fork.
She and Doug chuckled, and the tension faded.
Digging into the excellent food, everyone was silent, even Kimmy, which was rare. Nina grinned to herself, realizing how the presence of a child had changed her life. The child and Doug. She drew in a breath, and Doug gave her another questio
ning look. She shrugged and monitored her emotional reaction to curb any more conversation.
Kimmy finished first and she asked to be excused. With Doug’s approval, she skipped off to the living room, anxious to watch a children’s program on TV. They continued in silence for a few moments until Nina stood and gathered the plates and silverware she and Kimmy had used. When she set them on the counter and turned, Doug grinned and laid his fork on his plate.
“I’d better stop or I’ll burst.”
She flashed him a silly grin. “I wondered.” She waved her hand over the abundance left. “Now you can call in the neighbors.”
“Leftovers. Did you forget?” He leaned back, his grin still there as if he had to force it.
She shook her head and reached to gather the rest of the dishes.
“Not so fast.” He grasped the last small bag. “Dessert, but first...” He motioned for her to sit.
She sank into the chair, curious about his forced grin. “Something’s wrong? Is it Roseanne?”
“No. And nothing’s wrong. I wanted to tell you that last night after I left here I ran into Angie in front of her house.”
Angie? She studied his face, her mind at a standstill.
“She mentioned the wedding, which is coming up fast, and told me you were coming without an escort and she extended an invitation, suggesting I invite you to go with me.”
Unable to control her irritation, heat burned on her cheeks. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Doug. That’s no way to be invited to a wedding, and I’ve already told her that going alone was fine with me, so please don’t—”
“Nina, don’t apologize. You know Angie. She likes to solve everyone’s dilemmas. Apparently she wouldn’t want to attend a wedding alone, and she’s projecting that on you.”
He was right. Angie wanted to fix everything. Even things that didn’t need fixing. A burst of air escaped her lungs and she shook her head. “Let’s start again, okay?”
He drew back, confusion on his face. “Okay.”
The response rang as a question. “The more I thought about going alone I realized it wasn’t the best idea, but I’m not seeing anyone right now...” She noticed his expression and grinned. “Naturally I see you, but I meant I’m not dating anyone.” She gnawed her lip. “But today when you said you owed me one and said I could ask for anything...the wedding came to mind. I considered asking you to be my escort but I feared I wouldn’t have the nerve. So I guess Angie at least opened the door to that.”
The tension on his face was replaced by a smile. “She did, it seems. And to answer your question, I would be happy to be your escort. I haven’t been to a wedding in years.”
His response seemed too easy, yet her shoulders relaxed as she heard the positive tone of his voice. “What about Kimmy?”
His smile broadened. “Angie solved that situation, too. She has someone sitting with Carly and said the girls would have fun together.”
“You are kidding.” She rolled her eyes, hearing Angie’s voice ring in her head.
“Nope. Problem solved.” He lifted the smaller bag and set it in front of him. “Now dessert. But we’ll have to call Kimmy. She loves fortune cookies.”
With his call, Kimmy darted into the room and spotted the crescent treats. “Can I read mine?”
Doug handed her a cookie. She broke it open and tugged out the little slip of paper. She studied it. “‘Learning is a tre...’” She held the paper toward Nina. “What’s that word?”
“Treasure. Sound it out. Trea-sure.”
Kimmy nodded. “‘Learning is a treasure that will follow its...owner.’ I don’t understand.”
When she hesitated, Nina eyed the paper. “It means that what you learn will be with you and follow you everywhere.”
Kimmy crinkled her nose. “How can learning follow me?”
Nina tousled her hair. “Everything you learn is inside your head so where you go it goes.”
She tittered. “My head holds everything.”
“Right, my girl.” Doug eyed Nina and flagged his little white flag of paper. “Mine says, ‘Your home will find happiness.’” He gave her a wink. “That’s something I can use.”
“Me, too.” She lifted the fortune cookie and snapped it open. When she eyed the few words, her chest contracted as the words swam in her head.
Doug cocked his head. “What does it say? We all read ours aloud.”
She managed to grin and lifted the ribbon of paper. “‘Look around. Your life is changing.’” When she looked at him, her pulse hitched. “Summer’s nearly gone and autumn is closing in. Life is changing.”
His eyes searched hers as a coy grin slipped to his lips. “Hmm? That’s true, but it says your life not the seasons.”
Heat crept up her neck. She didn’t believe in fortunes. So why had her heart danced? Nothing made sense anymore.
Chapter Five
Doug leaned back against the kitchen chair and savored his coffee. Saturdays always cheered him. Kimmy, to his surprise, had settled on the sofa watching a kids’ TV show. Though rare, he liked the moments when he didn’t feel the need to entertain her. He’d be a poor father. His knowledge of kids sank in his mind like quicksand. From one day to the next, he tried to recall what necessities were essential for a little girl’s needs. If she’d been a boy, he might have a better grasp. He gave five stars to women who seemed to be born with a maternal instinct.
Nina’s image formed in his mind, and with her face in his thoughts, he steeled his determination to escort her to Angie’s wedding. Though she was irked, an emotion he’d seen before, she admitted she’d planned to ask him. They had both needed the gumption to do it, and he was glad he’d been the one.
The jingle of his cell phone broke through his thoughts, and he grasped it from the table and clicked Talk.
“Are you busy?” Nina’s sweet voice sailed from the line.
He eyed his coffee. “Not busy at all. Do you need help?”
“Not from you really, but I promised Kimmy she could help me plant the fall flowers I bought yesterday. Did she tell you?”
“No. She was too wound up about the pinecones and Christmas ornaments.”
“I felt bad about that, Doug. She may not be with you at Christmas, but she really wants to make decorations.”
Her comment sank into his chest, causing an ache. “I am anxious for Kimmy to be with Roseanne, but it’s a change. I’ll miss her. Even though life’s more complicated with her here, I’ve begun to breathe it now. I hope you understand what I mean.”
“I do. She’s important to both of us. She’s brought fun and excitement into my humdrum life.”
He closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. “Kids are infectious, aren’t they?”
Nina chuckled. “You make them sound like a disease.”
“A disease of the heart.” Burdened with emotion, he segued from his dilemma. “Kimmy’s watching TV, but I’m sure she’d prefer to be outside with you. I’ll let her know you’re ready for her help.”
“Thanks, but only if she wants to. Okay?”
“Sure thing.” He ended the call and poured his cooling coffee into the sink. “Kimmy.” He strode into the living room as she jumped up from the sofa.
“Are we going to do something?”
“You are.” He grinned at her quizzical expression. “Nina’s ready to plant flowers.”
“Yeah.” She clapped her hands but faltered as she looked down at her clothes. “Will I get dirty?”
“Maybe, but everything’s washable. Even you.”
She giggled as she ran to the door. “I’ll see you later, Uncle Doug.” She gave a little wave and headed outside.
He watched her through the window, skipping along the sidewalk as if on her way to a party.
Watching her go took him back to the days before Roseanne’s accident when he lived a quiet undisturbed life. That time seemed empty now as he pictured his weeks—months—with Kimmy filling the house with giggles and noise. When she vanished beyond his view, loneliness washed over him.
* * *
Nina slipped her cell phone into her pocket and headed for the garage, but its ringtone caused her to dig it back out. She hit Talk.
“Nina, how are you, dear? You haven’t called in ages.”
Her mother rarely called. “Just busy. Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine, dear, and so is your stepdad.”
Howard. No matter how hard she tried he had never gained her favor, but she’d made the best of it. The call had a purpose, she knew. “Glad to hear everyone’s well.” She retreated to the front of the house and pointed to the phone as Kimmy arrived. “Mom, I was getting ready to plant a few perennials so they’ll bloom next year. I can’t seem to find time during the week.” Hoping her mother would get the hint. she waited for her goodbye.
“Flowers for your new house. How nice. And that’s somewhat why I’m calling. We thought we might come to visit for Thanksgiving. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
Her eyes widened. Nice? Images of Thanksgiving with Doug had entered her thoughts, and hopefully with Kimmy. Now the idea dangled like a loose thread. Her chest tightened. “Yes, it would be nice. But isn’t it a long drive and what about bad weather? The north has early snowfalls sometimes. Are you sure Thanksgiving’s a good time?”
“We’ll fly from Florida and rent a car. That would be easier, we thought.”
“Rent a car. Yes, that’s good idea.”
Kimmy sidled closer. “Are you talking to Uncle Doug?” Her piping voice broke the quiet.
Nina shook her head. “My mother.” She’d tried to whisper but it hadn’t worked.
“Do you have company, dear?”
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