“Good.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel, resting her hip against the counter. “But this party was Sadie’s idea.”
“True, but you did all the work.”
“Your niece can be very persuasive, you know?” She folded the towel and set it aside. “She’s too cute for her own good.”
“Tell me about it. I don’t know what I’m going to do when she’s a teenager.”
“Wait until she’s old enough to date.” Christa waggled her eyebrows.
“Oh, way to ruin my birthday, Slocum.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I do what I can.”
“Well—” taking a step closer, he took hold of her hands, his gaze drifting from her eyes to her lips and back again “—you did a lot. And I’m not just talking about tonight. These last few weeks, you’ve gone above and beyond for both me and Sadie.” He breathed in her sweet fragrance. “Thank you.” He lowered his head, his gaze now fixed on her lips.
“Where’d everybody go?” Sadie’s sleepy question had Christa taking a giant step back.
Talk about bad timing.
He crossed to his niece and gathered her into his arms. “It’s late, princess. We should get you to bed.” He sought out Christa then. She was still near the sink, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “I’m sorry to bail on you. We’ll be back first thing in the morning to help you clean up.”
Shaking her head, she started toward them. “That’s all right. Johnny and Russell’s wives already helped me with the bulk of it.” She smoothed a hand over Sadie’s back. “You gave your Uncle Mickey an awesome party tonight.” Pushing up on her tiptoes, she kissed his niece’s cheek. “Sleep well, Sadie.”
Regret twisted his stomach as he headed out the door, down the steps and all the way to his truck. He didn’t want to leave. He wanted to be back there in Christa’s kitchen, knowing, not wondering, how she felt in his arms. The taste of her lips.
Yeah, if he had any doubts about his feelings for Christa, tonight had eradicated all of them. Like it or not, he’d fallen for her. Question was, how did she feel about him?
Chapter Twelve
Mick had almost kissed her. And Christa had wanted him to.
That had been Saturday night. Now it was Wednesday, and she hadn’t talked to him since. Then again, she’d purposely been avoiding him. Didn’t even respond when he called to thank her again for the party. There was no point. The party that had managed to distract her from her problems for a few days was over. It was time to focus on other things. Like her business.
Her only hope for expansion—at least the only logical one—had been a bust, so now she was facing the impending arrival of Crane’s without even the slightest clue as to what to do next.
With the aid of a pallet jack, she maneuvered a load of base paint down aisle two. She’d never been one to panic. After all, she knew God was in charge and if He closed the door on the Gebhardt building, He would open a door somewhere else. She just wished she knew where that door was and when it would open.
An opportunity crossed my desk recently that is tailor-made for you. Jade’s phone call played across her mind.
Surely God wasn’t calling Christa back to the corporate world. A shiver ran through her. No, that wouldn’t—It ticks off every one of your wish-list items.
That wish list had to be five years old. Her life was different now. She was different now.
No, she could never go back to corporate life where it was all about looking out for number one. She’d put her own desires before God and her father for far too long, and that wasn’t going to work anymore. If God wanted her to take that job, He was going to have to speak loud and clear.
She positioned the pallet in front of the paint counter, removed the jack and wheeled it to the back room, well aware that she needed to continue to be proactive when it came to expanding Bliss Hardware. Because sitting around waiting for something to drop out of the sky wasn’t right either. It was important to be a good steward of what God had given her and, by prayer and supplication, she would make her desires known to Him every step of the way, trusting that He had a plan for her and her dreams.
Yet as she parked the pallet jack and looked around her store, which seemed to be bulging at the seams, the urge to drop to her knees and plead with God to make that door be to the Gebhardt building nearly overwhelmed her. It was the only option that made sense. Unfortunately, it wasn’t an option anymore.
Returning to the pallet of paint, she sliced through the shrink-wrap with her utility knife and peeled it away, images of Mick once again playing across her mind. As much as she hated to admit it, she missed spending time with him and Sadie. But after what happened the other night, things just felt...weird. The awkwardness of not knowing how he felt about her had her wondering how she should even act around him now. While she’d grown to care deeply for both Mick and his niece, what purpose would it serve in the end if he didn’t return those feelings? She wasn’t sure she’d be content to remain friends, knowing that she wanted more.
She gathered two gallons of paint in each hand and moved onto aisle three, where she lined them up on the proper shelf with the labels facing forward. She didn’t want one of her employees accidentally grabbing a deep base satin when what they really needed was a light base semigloss.
“Did you hear Crane’s Building Supply is fixin’ to build out past Gordon Winslow’s old place?”
Christa’s heart skidded to a stop as she listened to the man on the next aisle.
“Sure will be nice not having to drive all the way into the city for all that stuff my wife keeps wantin’ ’round the house,” a second man said.
“Yeah, we’ll have one-stop shopping right here in the county.”
The proverbial knife that felt as though it’d been plunged into her heart twisted. If what they were saying was true, people were already looking to Crane’s to meet their needs, amplifying her desire to expand now so by the time Crane’s opened, folks would already think of Bliss Hardware as their go-to home improvement store. She wanted Bliss Hardware to be their first thought, not an afterthought.
A mixture of anger and hurt had her abandoning the paint and propelling herself across the store with determined steps. Her heart ached and she wanted to scream. She needed some fresh air to clear her mind before she completely lost it.
Throwing open the back door, she continued outside—and ran right into Mick.
“Whoa there.” He placed a strong, steadying hand on each of her shoulders. “Christa?” Easing his grip, he lowered his head to meet her gaze, concern narrowing his light green eyes. “What’s wrong?”
In that moment, the desire to have someone to lean on was stronger than ever. It would be so easy to fall into his muscular embrace. To savor his presence and draw from his strength. And if they weren’t at the store, she just might have given in. But the smell of lumber drifting on the breeze reminded her of where she was.
Straightening, she took a step back and reined in her thoughts. She wasn’t used to sharing her burdens with anyone but God, and she wasn’t about to start now. The last thing she needed was Mick feeling sorry for her.
The midafternoon air seemed warmer than usual as she drew in a calming breath. “Sorry about that. I’m fine. Really.”
“You sure?” He adjusted his cowboy hat. “Because for a second there you looked madder’n an old wet hen.”
A train horn sounded in the distance. Before long, it would be barreling right past them, making conversation impossible. But not soon enough.
She brushed the hair away from her face and squared her shoulders. “Yes, I’m sure.” Shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans, she looked everywhere but at Mick. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed T posts. I’ve got some fences that need shoring up, and I’d rather knock ’em out while the temperatures are still relatively cool.”
“I can certainly understand that.” Nobody wanted to be working fence lines in July. “How’s Sadie?” She managed a glance in his direction.
“Fine.” A forklift rumbled through the lumberyard as he continued to watch her. It was starting to make her uncomfortable. “Sorry, but I gotta ask this again. Are you sure you’re all right? You seem, I don’t know—frustrated.”
Of course she was frustrated. The business she’d worked so hard to build was in danger of going under. Another small business falling prey to corporate giants.
And having Mick so close when she’d been thinking about that almost-kiss wasn’t helping either.
“I’ve just got a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
“Okay. But if you need to talk, you know I’m here for you, right?”
She nodded, wishing she could turn to him. But she knew better than to rely on someone else. Especially someone who had the capability to break her heart. She needed to keep Mick at arm’s length. Because if she let him in the way she’d done with Brody, her heart would definitely end up broken. And this time, she might not survive.
* * *
“This is terrible.” Sadie dropped her head into her little hands late Thursday afternoon.
“What if we put some more glitter on it?” Mick picked up the shaker container, fearing his kitchen table would be sparkly from now on.
Sadie looked from the partially decorated shoebox to the stickers, markers and construction paper that littered the table and heaved a dramatic sigh. “It’s just not working.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. She sounded so much like her mother. Jen had always wanted things just so. She was all about presentation. Gifts had always been beautifully wrapped; her house looked like it belonged in a magazine...
He scanned his brown and green living space. Obviously, Sadie had inherited her mother’s genes.
“What do you think it needs?” He didn’t particularly want to make another run to the store, but he would if he needed to. Then he’d make a list, so he’d know what to get next year.
“I dunno.” Another sigh. A second later, she straightened. “Maybe Miss Christa could help me.”
Mick’s insides knotted. He couldn’t call Christa. Ever since their near kiss, things had been different. He got the feeling she didn’t even want to be around him anymore. Served him right for trying to kiss her. He knew she was too good for him, yet for a moment he’d allowed himself to believe he might stand a chance.
Boy was he wrong. When he’d seen her at Bliss Hardware the other day, she couldn’t seem to get away from him fast enough.
“Sadie, I don’t think we should keep bothering Miss Christa.”
“Please?” Her bottom lip pooched out.
He felt himself caving faster than a house of cards. Would he ever grow immune to the pouting?
“All right, I’ll check with her. But if she says no, we’ll have to figure this out on our own, okay?”
“Okay.” Now she smiles.
He rolled his eyes, the knot tightening in his gut as he dialed Christa. She might not even answer once she realized it was him.
Moving to the window, he stared out over the cow pond. The sight usually calmed him.
“Hello?”
He whirled back around. “Christa, hey, it’s Mick.” As if she couldn’t read the caller ID. “Sadie is in the process of decorating a shoebox for her Valentine’s party at school tomorrow and, well, she’s having a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“An inept uncle, for starters.”
No response.
“Christa?”
“I’m here. I just...” Another pause. “What materials does she have to work with?”
Eyeing the table again, he rattled them off.
“Got it. Has she done her valentines yet?”
“No, she was pretty eager to get the box done.”
“Well, tell her to work on the valentines now and then Dixie and I will drop by just as soon as I get off work.”
Part of him relaxed while another part grew more nervous. “You’re a lifesaver. Thank you.”
Well, that went better than he thought it would. Except for all the hesitations. Was she busy, or did she not want to be bothered?
He passed Christa’s instructions on to Sadie, then breathed a sigh of relief when she happily went to work filling out her valentines.
An hour and fifteen minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Sooner than he’d expected. Sadie had just finished her valentines, and the aroma of frozen pizzas baking in the oven drifted through the house as he opened the door.
Christa’s dog sashayed in first, seemingly looking for Sadie.
“Dixie!” Sadie jumped out of her seat as the golden trotted her way. “I misseded you so much.” She hugged and kissed the animal.
Mick looked at Christa, who was holding a small sack. “Once again, I find myself indebted to you. Can I start by offering you some pizza? It’s just about to come out of the oven.”
“So that’s what’s making my stomach growl. I would love some.”
After they’d polished off both the cheese and supreme pizzas, Christa sat down at the table with Sadie and examined her valentine’s box. “This is a great start. I think it just needs a few more elements.”
“What are elemems?”
“Elements,” Christa gently corrected. “All it means is that it needs more stuff.”
“Oh.” Sadie appeared worried as she looked over the items Mick had bought her. “But this is all I have.”
“That’s what your uncle said. So I brought a few more items.” She retrieved her bag from the side chair and pulled out things one by one. “I’ve got some iridescent ribbon.”
Sadie gasped excitedly.
“Some pink and red foam sheets we can cut into shapes to add dimension. And—” she grinned at Sadie “—some boas.” She removed a conglomeration of red and white feathers before setting the bag aside. “What do you think?”
“I’m going to have the bestest valentimes box ever!”
Mick pulled up a chair and watched the two as they worked. Christa was so good with Sadie, guiding and teaching her, and Sadie soaked up the attention like a dried-out sponge. In no time they had the sides of the red-glitter-coated box wrapped in a pink boa, and they’d added a shimmery bow to the top. Now Christa was cutting out bright pink letters that spelled Sadie’s name.
“We’ll put these on the top so everyone will know this is your box,” Christa said.
When they’d finished, Sadie was so proud, Mick had to take a picture of the two showing off their work of art.
Christa was gathering up her things when Sadie hugged her around the waist.
“I’m so glad you helpeded me.” She peered up at the woman. “I’m sorry if I bovered you.”
Christa looked surprised. “Sadie, you are never a bother. Why would you think that?”
“Uncle Mickey said we shouldn’t bover you.”
“I see.” Christa’s gaze cut to Mick. “Next time you’ll have to remind your Uncle Mickey that I like spending time with you. Both of you.” She turned her attention back to Sadie. “Now I want you to have the bestest Valentine’s party ever, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Come on, Dixie.” Christa started toward the door.
“I’ll walk you out.” Mick looked at his niece. “Sadie, it’s getting late. I want you to get your pajamas on and brush your teeth. I’ll be right back.”
He followed Christa and her dog onto the porch, feeling a bit uncertain, but determined to push forward anyway.
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he said, “You, uh, said you like spending time with both Sadie and I.” He shrugged. “Is that just on occasion or a regular basis?”
Now it was her
turn to look nervous. And that suited him just fine. “I’ve grown fond of you both.”
He dared a step closer. “Can I just be honest here?”
“Please.”
“I like you.” He shoved a frustrated hand through his hair. He sounded like some bumbling teenager. “And I don’t know if it’s just me, but I can’t help wondering if this—” he waved a hand between them “—could be something more than friendship.”
She licked her lips. Rocked back on her heels. And stared toward the barn for the longest time. “No. It’s not just you.”
“That’s a relief.” He couldn’t help but smile when she finally met his gaze. “I’m not sure where to go from here, though.”
Something flickered in her hazel eyes. “Well, we could start by picking up where we left off Saturday night at my place. You know—” she tilted her head “—before Sadie woke up.”
Under the light of a full moon, his heart pounded as he closed the distance between them. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs caressing the soft skin of her cheeks. She was so beautiful. And she liked him, simple cowboy that he was.
Lowering his head, he claimed her sweet lips, allowing his fingers to thread into her soft waves. Her hair smelled like apples. He inhaled deeper, longing to get lost in her. She was as refreshing as an autumn day after a long, hot summer. And she was in his arms.
When he finally pulled away, he tucked her head beneath his chin and held her, savoring the feel of her. He didn’t want this moment to end. But Sadie was waiting on him.
He released his hold, lowering his hands until his fingers entwined with hers. “I reckon I should go check on Sadie.”
“Yes, you should.” Her cheeks were pink as she smiled up at him. “We can talk later.”
Nodding, he started to let her go, then tightened his grip. “I promised Sadie we’d do a campfire Saturday night. Care to join us?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Sounds like fun. I’ll bring stuff for s’mores.”
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