by Jeannie Moon
“Adam is going to die,” Fiona deadpanned. “The gown isn’t even finished and you look gorgeous.”
“She is the embodiment of a beautiful bride,” Maddy said as she adjusted Mia’s skirt. The group was seated around the elegant showroom on pale yellow upholstered chairs that made the room glow almost as much as the brides.
Jordan found herself a bit overcome. She watched Mia, who a year ago wasn’t in her life, as she looked at herself in the mirror. “It’s beautiful.”
Lilly was near tears, and Mia’s nana, Janet, was trying to keep herself together. It was emotional for everyone because Mia, who had endured so much, had managed to find her happy ever after with the most unlikely of princes.
Jordan was happy for Mia, and could only hope she’d be just as happy for herself someday. Playing with the ring on her left hand, she wondered if Nick had the nerve to open up to her. If he could, the fake engagement might just become real.
Maddy stepped back and smiled. “Girl, you are gorgeous. That is going to be my best work yet, if I do say so myself. At your next fitting we will start to talk about the detailing.”
“I can’t believe I’m getting married.” Mia’s eyes welled up.
“You are!” Lilly stepped behind her friend and pulled Mia’s soft mane of curls off her shoulders. “Up or down?”
“I haven’t even thought about it.” Mia’s eyes went wide. “What do you think?” She looked around the room, and like it was choreographed, everyone answered at once.
Fiona and Janet said up at the same time Jordan and Maddy said down.
Mia shook her head and Lilly laughed. “We can do both. Up and down. It will look beautiful, and you won’t even need extensions.”
Janet went to Mia and took her granddaughter’s face in her hands. “You are beautiful, and you are going to have a wonderful marriage.”
Mia was near tears, and so was Jordan. She didn’t know who would be there for her if she ever got married. Her mother and her grandparents had died years before. Her dad was going to leave her soon. It was crushing, and all at once overwhelming. Feeling the air leave her lungs, Jordan had to get out. “Excuse me a second.”
Not wanting to ruin Mia’s moment, Jordan made her escape from the shop, and stepped into the gorgeous spring afternoon. The sun hit her face, and she took a deep breath, drawing in the scent of the water, and trying desperately to steady herself. “Get a grip. Get a grip,” she whispered.
Walking up and down the sidewalk, she was sure she was a curiosity on a busy Saturday afternoon in town, but she didn’t care. People glanced her way, said tentative hellos, but no one was willing to engage the crazy lady.
“Jesus.” Closing her eyes, Jordan pulled herself together before setting off down Main. She loved how small businesses thrived in Compass Cove, when in other towns they struggled. In her mind, it was a testament to the way the town took care of their own. She passed the butcher shop, the bookstore, the stationary, and then instinctively turned into Rinaldi’s Café.
The café was a wonder. On one side was the actual restaurant that served some of the best food on the North Shore. Simple comfort foods, creative specials, and the best pancakes anywhere. Of course, there were the onion rings. Lina should go to heaven just for the onion rings.
The other side was the original bakery, opened by Lina’s father, which had morphed into a busy coffee shop that could rival any chain. They sold cappuccinos and lattes, frozen coffee drinks, along with all sorts of pastries and homemade gelato.
She approached the counter to see her former student, Krissy DeSano, flashing a megawatt smile. Krissy was in her class her first year at Cove Elementary, when she taught fourth grade.
“Hey, Miss Velsor!”
“Hey, Kris. How are you today?”
“I’m good. What can I get you?”
So far, so good. This was a simple enough exchange. “A vanilla latte and a chocolate tarte, please?” The chocolate tartes were the stuff of legend in town. The flaky mini crust held a hazelnut chocolate filling that melted when it hit your tongue. Jordan suspected it had to be 5000 calories.
Krissy put in her order and rang her up. When Jordan handed her a ten-dollar bill, her former student grabbed her left hand and ogled her ring.
“Oh, my gosh! It’s so pretty. It’s old, isn’t it?”
Jordan extracted her hand, cursing the fact that her mind was firmly back on weddings and engagements. So much for forgetting. “It is. The ring belonged to Lucy Velsor. She’s one of my ancestors.”
“Lucy? Ohmigosh. You mean compass Lucy? That Lucy?”
“Yes. That Lucy. The ring is a family heirloom.”
“Miss Velsor, that is so cool.”
“It’s special. And a little intimidating to wear.”
The initial shock having worn off, Krissy could think about the ring, and all it meant. “I bet! I mean, to be able to wear something that not only has so much history, but all that romance attached to it.”
Krissy’s hand drifted to her heart. All that romance. What exactly did that mean?
When the teen pulled herself together, she handed a cup and plate over the counter, but Jordan had to step back when a warm male body reached out to take her food.
“I’ve got that.” Nick smiled at her, and she alternately wanted to smack his hand and fall into his arms. He was here for her. He knew.
He knew about her almost meltdown.
“What are you doing here?” All she wanted was five minutes to herself. That’s all.
Walking her to a table, Nick pulled his chair extra close to hers. His scent and his warmth surrounded her, and Jordan heard herself sigh. Leaning in, he whispered in her ear.
“A little bird told me you made a hasty retreat from the bridal shop. True or not?”
Jordan shook her head, her ponytail swishing back and forth. “No, no, of course not. I just…”
He raised an eyebrow. “No?”
“Okay, maybe I was a little affected by the whole family thing. I mean, I’m human.”
“You are.” His arm stretched behind her and he scooted a little closer. He was going all out on the couple thing, but that wasn’t what Jordan needed at the moment.
“You want to talk about it?”
“No,” she sipped her latte. “I don’t think I do.”
Krissy had arrived at their table with another coffee cup. “Manny said this is your usual, Dr. Rinaldi.”
Nick reached up and smiled at the girl, and poor Krissy, totally unaware of the power of Nick’s smile, nearly crumbled. “Thank you, darlin’.”
“You, ah, you’re welcome,” she sputtered before beating a retreat.
“Jeez, have you always been that way?”
“What way?”
“Charming women with that grin of yours?”
“She’s sixteen! Stop it. There’s only one woman I’m interested in charming.” Bringing his face so close to hers she could feel his breath on her cheek, Jordan’s heart jumped. “You look pretty today.”
Jordan shook her head and gave his shoulder a gentle shove. “Stop it.”
“Why?” His eyes twinkled with life. This man had many sides, but he was starting to get on her last nerve. “You are pretty.”
“Who told you?” In other words, which one of her friends ratted her out?
“That you’re pretty? No one.” He sipped his coffee. Games. He was playing games, and Jordan looked to the sky, wondering why she couldn’t have a minute of peace.
“I think I’m going to take this to go.” She grabbed her coffee and her tarte, realizing immediately she couldn’t make a getaway with the café’s mug and plate.
“Here. Enjoy,” she said, setting her food down in front of him.
“What?”
Jordan didn’t answer because she was out the door before he could finish. All she wanted was some downtime. She didn’t want anyone to feel bad for her, or pity her, or send out anyone to rescue her. She hated being high maintenance.
She hated needing people, and she was starting to need Nick too much.
*
Jordan was obviously feeling better, because she was moving pretty fast. Too fast for him, as Nick struggled to catch her as she raced down Main Street. He had to hook up with an athlete. He and his bum leg were totally overmatched.
He did his best, but her long, lean form was moving farther away. If he didn’t do something, he was going to lose her. This was so fucking embarrassing.
“Jordan!” he called. She kept walking. The view was awesome. The woman rocked the jeans and high-heeled boots like a damn model. How the hell did she walk in those? “Focus, man,” he grumbled. “Jordan!” Louder this time, she stopped and turned. He had chased after her for just about a block, and his muscles had cramped. Putting a hand on his hip for support, he hobbled to a bench.
Jesus. When was he ever going to get better? Maybe Jordan should keep walking. He was not worth her time. But when he looked up, she was standing next to him. A stray piece of hair had escaped her ponytail and was fluttering around her beautiful face. Lord, this woman was like an angel.
She sat next to him, and immediately he passed her the little bag he’d snagged on the way out that held her chocolate tarte. “You can’t let this go to waste.”
“Damn.” Her hand came down to his hip, and immediately her touch filled him with more feeling than he knew what to do with. “How badly does it hurt?”
“Bad enough, but I think my pride is more wounded than my hip. I can’t even chase after a woman anymore. It’s going to kill my game.”
“You know, this isn’t funny, and you don’t have to pretend on my account.” Jordan’s face was set, concerned.
“I’m not pretending. I’m serious.” The last thing he wanted to do was spill his guts to her. Yes, his injury sucked. The war sucked, but there was nothing anyone could do about it.
“I can’t even imagine how you feel.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Yeah, well. I try not to think about it. It’s pointless.”
“I got that. But I doubt it’s pointless.”
“Jordan, I came here to help you. Let’s not get wrapped up in my problems.”
He realized how sharply he’d shut her down and rubbed her shoulder. “Sorry.”
“I just needed to step away. That’s all. I wasn’t in crisis. I needed to clear my head.”
“I’m sorry. I heard you were upset…”
Jordan nodded, then tilted her head. “By the way, how did you know where I was?”
Nick shrugged, letting the question sink in. “I don’t know. I just did.”
That realization hit him harder than he expected. How did he know? He homed in on her like she was microchipped.
Jordan’s head dropped to his shoulder and she opened the white bag from the bakery. “Would you like a piece?”
“Sure. Thanks.” Accepting the piece of pastry seemed like a small thing, but it was a truce. They were fine.
Jordan popped a piece of the tarte in her mouth, her eyes drifting closed as the taste surrounded her. “I’m sorry I made you chase me. I feel bad.”
“You could always kiss it and make it better.”
As soon as he said it, her eyes opened and narrowed. “Hmm.” She lifted her head. “You’re all right?”
He chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m fine. But my ego is bruised. I have to get running again.”
“Anytime. I need to get back in shape. It’s hell not running for almost a month.”
“Damn doctor of yours is so bossy.” He reached in the bag again, and watched her smile bloom.
“He is. So bossy.”
“Are you going home?”
“I think so,” she said. “I love them all, and I’m so happy for Mia, but I’m just not in the mood.”
Nick took her hand. “Did something specific happen?”
“It’s just… my dad always wanted this, you know? Seeing his daughter married. That’s probably why I said yes when Chase proposed. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t right, but I thought it was something I could give to my father.” She shook her head. “I’m feeling it, that’s all. I’m missing him already.”
“You’re human. And this is an awful time for you.”
Taking a deep breath, Jordan squeezed his hand before letting go.
“I’m here for you,” he reminded her. “However, you need me.”
Leaning in, Jordan kissed him lightly on the lips. “I know you are. Thank you. But you need to remember I’m here for you, too.”
“I know.”
This woman was going to kill him. A simple kiss made him crazy. And when she mentioned how her dad wanted to see her married? He was ready to haul a judge into George’s room at the hospice house and say ‘I do.’ He was out of his mind.
“I’ll see you later,” he said. “Movie tonight? If you’re free?”
Jordan smiled. “Bring the popcorn.”
More graceful in high heels than any woman he’d ever seen, Jordan started down the street, and Nick thanked God for his 20/20 vision, because he could watch her hips sway from 100 yards away.
Heading back to Dock’s End, he wondered what being married to her would be like. It would never be boring. That was for sure.
He was such a goner.
And he didn’t know how he’d tell her.
Chapter Fourteen
When Nick got home from his afternoon in town, he found more family had descended on the big house. It seemed his mother had told his aunts about his engagement. Which meant his father’s brothers, their wives, and a couple of his cousins had arrived in Compass Cove without him knowing it.
He thought about asking Jordan if she wanted to run away with him. He didn’t care where they went—a warm island, a mountain retreat, a hotel on Fire Island.
A hotel anywhere would do it for him.
The kitchen was mobbed. Every seat at the table was filled, bodies surrounded the kitchen island, and Nona was cooking up a storm. He hadn’t seen her this happy in years.
Didn’t it figure?
If nothing else, it reminded Nick to get back on track with finding his own place. He’d called the Realtor about a couple of houses he’d seen in town, and a couple that were more off the beaten path. He spent so much time deployed when he was in the Navy, he’d socked away a lot of money. It was a good thing, because houses weren’t cheap around here, but he did want to stay. As much as his family was a pain in the ass, and his friends harassed him to no end, Nick was home and he was going to set down some roots.
“Nicky!” His grandmother waved him into the room. “Everyone is home! Everyone! Isn’t it wonderful?”
“It’s unexpected, that’s for sure.”
His relatives crowded around him in a great swarm, smothering him in that special brand of Rinaldi love. All talking at once, he could only pick out pieces of what his aunts and uncles were saying, but the gist of it all was that they were congratulating him on his new job, on being home, and on finding a wife.
Shit.
Nona waved everybody off, and he noticed that a very large meal was being prepared. Very large.
“Pops, is there something I should know about?” His grandfather, sitting in his usual chair at the head of the table, was cutting a piece of cheese from a large wedge, and sipping red wine.
“Your mother called them all. She issued a summons like a judge, calling everyone in. They came. Everyone came, and now they are all stacked up around the house.” His grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “This is all your fault.”
Nick had no response. His fault? How the hell was it his fault? All he wanted to do was find some snacks, a bottle of wine, and curl up with a girl-next-door.
Without another word, Nick made his way through the house, up the stairs, and into his room. He closed the door and leaned his head into the hard slab of wood, the only thing separating him from the insanity downstairs.
There was a light tapping at the door, and he h
eard his mother’s voice on the other side. That didn’t take long. “Nick, can I come in?”
He opened the door to see his mother looking upset. Maybe even a little guilty.
Nick stepped back, but she didn’t move. “Are you going to come in, Mom?”
“Oh, yes.” Moving just over the threshold, Nick waited. “I’m sorry about the people. I know it must have caught you off guard. Honestly, that wasn’t my intention, but they talked to your grandmother, and then everyone just showed up. They want to meet Jordan, and they want to see you.”
How did he possibly respond to that? A better question would be: when did he become such an asshole that his own mother was apologizing to him? Reaching out, Nick pulled his mother into a hug, and as soon as he did she grabbed the front of his shirt and crumbled.
“I slept next to your bed the first week you were home. The nurses at the hospital in San Diego were so lovely to me. They kept telling me to talk to you, that you would hear me even though they were keeping you unconscious. I just wanted you to tell me to stop worrying. To get annoyed.”
Nick sorted through the pieces of memories from his recovery, but from the time they brought him into the hospital in Kandahar to waking up in California, his mind was a series of broken images. He did have one or two of his mom. In both, she was crying. She was alone and crying.
“I knew you were there,” he spoke into her hair. “And I didn’t get annoyed, because I was scared, Mom. I was glad you were there because I was scared.”
His mother looked up, eyes filled with tears, and she laid a hand on his cheek. “That makes two of us. I was so scared to lose you.”
Giving his mother a kiss on the cheek, Nick smiled. “Did you have to call them all, though?”
His mom laughed, and Nick was now focused on how he was going to get Jordan to come over and have dinner with thirty people. All of them related to him.
“She might freak out at the sight of everyone, you know that?”
“I do,” Mom shrugged. “But Lina said not to worry. Jordan could handle it.”
If it had been a normal day, Nick was sure she would have charmed everyone. But it had been a hard day. A very hard day. “I was supposed to go over there later, just watch a movie. I guess that’s not happening.”