A Mother's Heart (Sweet Hearts of Sweet Creek Book 6)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “But I never wanted to move here,” Claire said.

  “You would say that,” her father said. “Yet you are the one who played outside here the most. Remember that fort you made in the trees in the back? And that skating rink we made for you? That all happened here. I think you were happy here, too.”

  Claire let the memories her father mentioned sink into her mind. Then she released a hard laugh. “I wanted to do the same thing you did for us. I want to make a good place for Emma. I want to give her a home. Actually, I wanted to give her that house. The house I used to live in.”

  “I know you. You’ll make a home anywhere you go,” her father said, patting her once again on the shoulder. “You’re a good mother. You’ve done amazingly well with the hand you’ve been dealt. Your mother and I are very proud of you and are so thankful for Emma. I know you didn’t choose what happened to you, but you made the best of it.”

  Her father’s praise warmed her heart. And threatened to make her weepier than she felt.

  She gave him a quick hug, then approached the door. “I should get going. Tess is probably at the café looking at the clock and wondering where I am.”

  “And that’s something else we’re so happy about.” Her father said. “How you and your sister get along. It’s also a real blessing to me and your mother.”

  Claire gave him another smile and stepped out the door, closing it carefully behind her. She looked over the yard, trying to see it with different eyes. She saw a tree, with the rope hanging down from it yet. Remnants of the swing she and her father had set up. A bare patch of grass further down showed her where the old skating rink used to be.

  Despite her roiling emotions, she smiled. She had some happy memories here. And her father was right. It wasn’t the house that made the home, it was the people who lived in it.

  She got into her car and drove to the café. But before she turned down Main Street, she took a detour that took her past the house. The dump had returned, and she heard the beep beep of the trackhoe on the other side of the house followed by the sickening crunch of lumber.

  Despite what her father had told her, she couldn’t stop the sharp sting of tears. Nik was going through with it. He was taking down her old home.

  She couldn’t bear to watch.

  And yet, she slowed a moment, trying to look at it through his eyes. Trying to imagine a young boy sitting up in a room, wishing he was outside, wishing he was anywhere else but there. Wondering every day what would happen.

  Her memories shifted into his and blended with what her father said.

  It’s not the house that makes the home, it’s the people in it.

  And while she understood what Nik was dealing with, at the same time, she had so hoped the three of them could find a way to get together.

  He hadn’t contacted her once. Hadn’t connected with her to explain.

  He had just shut her out.

  But as she drove away, a prayer rose up in her mind.

  Please Lord, be with Nik. Please let what he is doing heal him from his hurt. Please let it bring him peace.

  “We’ll need more eight-by-eights,” Chance said to Nik, dropping his hammer into the metal bracket of his tool pouch. “I don’t think six-by-sixes will be strong enough to hold the porch roof up.”

  Nik made a note on the discarded piece of plywood he used as a list. “Anything else?”

  Chance rubbed his chin for a moment. “Yeah. How about a phone call to Claire?”

  Nik’s heart jumped at the mention of her name, but he kept his expression neutral. “I think we’ll need more wood screws, too.”

  Chance shrugged but Nik could tell he wouldn’t leave the topic alone. In fact, when he arrived last night, it was the first thing Chance had asked Nik — If he had talked to Claire.

  It had been four days since Claire had left. Without even the decency of sending him a text explaining why she’d left. He shouldn’t care. She was just proving herself to be no different than many of the other women in his life.

  Your mother had a reason.

  He held that thought a moment and sighed again. He had spent the past few evenings with Joyce and Cory, evading Cory’s questions about Claire. He had finally sent a text to Cory asking her to just leave it alone. She replied with a sad face emoji, so he hoped the text had done its work.

  But he and his mother were slowly making peace, growing closer even as he and Claire were moving further apart.

  “What you need is to have your head screwed on,” Chance said. “Seriously, just swallow your pride and call her already.”

  “I’m heading out now, if there’s anything else you need just send me a text.” Still carrying the piece of plywood, Nik got into his truck. A few minutes later he was heading down the road, trying not to think of Chance’s comments. He turned down one street, slowing as he came to the intersection. A turn to the right would bring him to Claire’s coffee shop. A turn to the left, to the lumber yard. And for just a moment, he slowed and wondered what to do. A quick glance at the clock showed him the time. 10:00. Things would be slowing down. Claire wouldn’t be so busy.

  And what would he say to her?

  She was the one who left without even leaving a note.

  He turned left.

  But as he drove Chance’s words whirled through his head. Maybe he should swallow his pride. Take the first step. Because he knew he hadn’t imagined the feelings that had surged between them. The kisses they shared.

  Please Lord, he prayed, turning to God, realizing how much of his life was out of his control. Please show me what I need to do. Help me find a chance to talk to her. To find out the truth.

  Chapter 13

  “That will be $12.55,” Claire said, her smile forced as she punched the numbers into the terminal.

  Nadine tapped her card on the terminal to pay and took the coffee from Tess. “So, I heard you had to move again,” she said as Claire handed Nadine her order.

  “Yeah. Nik Austin is tearing the house down. So it just was a matter of time.” It was easier to say those words than it would have been a few days ago. Seeing the equipment in front of the house, hearing the crash of the wood had ended the dream she had clung to. She wished Nik would get the apartment done quickly so he could move on.

  “Really? I was at the town office the other day for an article I’m working on, and one girl made some comment about Nik coming in. What a hassle it was to change the tear-down permit he applied for.” Nadine grinned. “Of course, she did add that it wasn’t such a big deal, seeing as how he was so good looking.”

  Claire kept her face expressionless, but even as she held Nadine’s curious gaze, she wondered what changes Nik had applied for.

  “Enjoy your sandwich,” was all Claire said.

  Once Nadine left, the store was empty of customers.

  “What you think Nik was doing at the office?” Tess asked, checking Claire’s reaction.

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s none of my business anymore.”

  “So you haven’t texted him or talked to him?”

  “He hasn’t called me, either.”

  “It’s a new century,” Tess said. “You don’t have to wait. Besides, you’re the one that took off without letting him know anything.”

  Claire slid open the door of the display case and pulled up the muffin tray. “I better fill this up.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t be so stubborn.” Tess walked back to the kitchen with her. “The guy probably doesn’t even know why you left.”

  As Tess spoke, common sense fought with the loneliness that had dogged her the last few days. And with the loneliness came the second thoughts that also plagued her. “I’m not sure what to do,” she said, setting the empty muffin tray on the butcher block island. She bit her lip as she turned to her sister. “What do you think I should do?”

  “I think you should go over to Nik and ask him why he’s tearing down the house. What he thinks it will accomplish and if he will ever get over the pa
in and sorrow he feels. Just put it out there.”

  “And what if I don’t like his answer? What if I don’t like to hear him tell me he’s leaving?”

  “Do you like him?”

  Claire held that thought a moment. “I do. But like I said, I don’t think I can get involved with someone who clings too hard to the pain of the past. Someone who wants to move on.”

  “How do you know he does?”

  “Because he told me. Often. That was his plan. And I don’t want to risk putting myself, or Emma, through that again.”

  Tess sighed as she took a container of freshly made muffins out of the refrigerator. “I get that. But Andy also left because he didn’t want to be a father to Emma. We both know that was a factor.” Tess set the muffins on the tray, glancing up at Claire as she did.

  “I know.”

  “And Nik seems to get along with Emma, so that’s not a problem for him.”

  Claire realized the truth of what Tess was saying. “But…”

  “But what? I know you’re scared. I was scared to let Jace back into my life. We don’t like being vulnerable and risk being hurt. But would you sooner let him go? Let him walk out of your life and end up lonely again without giving him a chance?” The tray was full, and Tess washed her hands again. Then she picked up the tray. “It’s up to you. You’ve taken control of many parts of your life. Take control of this part.”

  Claire’s thoughts were a jumble of choices and concerns. Her old vulnerability returned but she could also see the truth in what Tess said.

  But before she could make a decision, her phone rang.

  “Maybe that’s him right now,” Tess said with a grin.

  “Yeah, right.” But despite her cynicism, she couldn’t squash a tiny flare of hope. Which turned into concern when she looked at the screen. It was the school.

  “Mrs. Donnel,” a voice asked. “This is Eileen from the school. We are wondering if Emma is at the cafe with you.”

  Claire’s heart stuttered. “No. She’s not. Isn’t she at the school?”

  “Well, it seems she’s disappeared—”

  “How? When?” Panic bloomed in her chest, spreading icy pulses through her body.

  “She was out for recess, then, when it came time to bring them all in, she wasn’t present and accounted for.”

  “She’s not here. Is she at my parent’s?”

  “No. She’s not.”

  “Did you call the police?”

  “That was our first call, but they asked us to check with you. Please, understand, we had no idea—”

  “Find her,” Claire blurted out. “Find her now.”

  “We will. Please, again—”

  But Claire stabbed at the screen before she could hear another apology. Her heart was racing, blood pounded her temples, panic clung to her heart. Had she been kidnapped? Lost?

  And what could she do?

  Tess came back just as Claire was yanking her jacket off the hook at the back of the store.

  “What’s up?” Tess asked. “You look terrified.”

  “The school just called. Emma didn’t come in after recess. I’m going to look for her.”

  “Did they call the cops?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is she at Mom and Dad’s?”

  “Apparently not.” Claire struggled to button her coat with her hands trembling.

  Tess came close and caught Claire’s hands. “Maybe you should stay here. In case she comes here. You can’t go running off, willy-nilly to look for her. If the police are involved, they’re better equipped than you are.”

  Claire bit her lip, fear pounding a threatening rhythm. “But I don’t know what else to do.”

  “I think it’s best you wait here for a few minutes at least. Just to make sure she’s not trying to come here. If she doesn’t come then we can shut the cafe down and go out looking for her.”

  She couldn’t argue with the sense of that, but at the same time, her mother’s heart wanted to be doing something. Anything.

  “Okay. I’ll give her another ten minutes but then I’m going looking.”

  And while she waited, she knew she had another call to make.

  “So, you’re loaded up and ready to go.”

  Skip Moore handed Nik his copy of the bill and with a wave of thanks, Nik climbed back into his truck.

  As soon as he pulled away from the lumberyard, his phone rang.

  His heart gave a renegade skip. Ever since Claire left, every time his phone rang, he wondered if it was her.

  But it was only Chance.

  “So… we’ve got a small problem here,” Chance said, morosely.

  “Define ‘problem.’” He almost rolled his eyes. Ever since he started work on the house it seemed like one problem led to another problem. Not for the first time he wondered if he was doing the right thing.

  “There’s a little girl here. She’s crying and she’s mad at me because I tore the porch down. I have no idea what she’s talking about, but she’s semi-hysterical. Gotta help me out bro. I don’t do little kids.” Chance sounded positively fearful.

  “Is her name Emma?”

  He heard Chance’s muffled voice, then he came back. “Yeah that’s what her name is. And she’s saying something about a daddy. I dunno. I’m kind of lost here, buddy.”

  What was Emma doing at the house? She was supposed to be in school. On the tails of that thought came a surge of panic. What was she doing all the way over there? Did Claire know what was going on?

  “I’ll be right there.” He ended the call and stepped on the gas, heading back to the house. As he did his phone rang again. He clicked the button on the steering wheel to connect the call to hands-free

  “Nik? This is Claire. I’m calling about Emma. I just got a call from the school that she’s gone. Do you have any idea where she is?” Claire sounded frantic. Nik didn’t blame her. A parent’s worst nightmare; a missing child.

  “Well my partner just called. Apparently, she’s at the house. I’m heading over there right away.”

  “Oh, thank you, Lord,” Claire said, her voice breaking. “I’m coming too.”

  “I’m not far from the coffee shop, I can pick you up.” As soon as he spoke the words, he wondered if he’d made the right choice.

  But he had a frantic mother, and a child who decided to run away on his hands. Now was not the time for personal feelings.

  When he pulled up in front of the café, Claire was on the street, her arms wrapped around her midsection, like she could hold herself together that way. He reached over and opened the door to his truck and she jumped in. She wore her usual bandana, and stained apron. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed, and she looked frightened half to death.

  “I think she’s okay,” was all Nik could say to assure her. “Chance didn’t seem too fussed, other than he had to watch a little girl.”

  Claire clenched her hands in her lap, her knuckles white. She shot him a quick glance, fear etched into her gentle features.

  So much had happened between them, but Nik still reached across the cab and covered her hands with one of his. “She’s at the house and according to my partner, she’s okay. We’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

  Claire bit her lip and to his surprise, she twisted her fingers around his. They were icy cold but even that simple touch sent a flood of warmth through him.

  They drove that way all the way to the house. Holding hands, connected by their concern for Emma.

  Nik drove well over the speed limit. When he got to the house, he hit the brakes, his tires screeching. And before he had shut off the truck, Claire was out the door, calling for Emma. Almost at once, her daughter came around the house running toward Claire.

  Nik got out of the truck, following a little slowly. The weight on his heart lifted in relief as he saw Emma and Claire cling to one another.

  She was okay.

  Chance came around the house scratching his head.

  “So, what happened?�
� Claire asked, kneeling in front of Emma with her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. Claire gripped Emma tightly in a bear hug again, then pulled back, checking her over to make sure she was okay. “What were you doing coming here?”

  Emma pulled in a hiccupping breath, rubbed her hand over her nose, her cheek wet with tears.

  “I wanted to talk to Nik. You weren’t going to, and I needed to talk to him. I was going to ask him not to tear the house down. But he started already. The house will be gone. And you're not marrying him, and he will not be my daddy. I’m so very sad.” She sobbed harder, falling into Claire’s arms.

  Nik glanced from Claire to Emma to Chance, trying to figure out what had happened.

  Chance took a step back, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I think now would be a good time for me to take a coffee break.” Chance gave Emma and Claire a wide berth and held out his hand to Nik. “I’ll take your truck. You go ahead and straighten this out.”

  As Chance took the keys, he leaned in close. “I’m gonna take my time. You get this fixed.” He held Nik’s eyes, his gaze hard. Steady.

  Then he left.

  Claire still held Emma, stroking her hair, her own cheeks glistening with tears.

  Nik joined them, resting his hand on Emma’s head. He wanted to pull Claire into his arms, but his emotions were jumbled right now, and a dozen questions plagued him, but he held his feelings back, if only momentarily. He didn’t want to interrupt the love-fueled reunion of a mother and a daughter. Instead he called the school and the police to let them know Emma had been found. When he was done Emma had stopped crying and Claire stood, looking over at Nik.

  His breath caught in his throat as their eyes met and held each other. The old feelings returned so fast, it was like he’d never been angry with her. Like she had never left.

  He caught himself and took a step back to create distance between them.

  Sorrow settled over her face, and he regretted the step. But he had to be firm. She still held too strong a hold on his heart.

  Nik turned his attention to Emma. “Are you okay?”

  Emma just nodded, then looked over at him, her expression holding the sting of accusation. “Why are you tearing down our house?”