Georgia Sweethearts

by Missy Tippens

  “Hey. I’m almost done,” she answered. “Helping Daniel move his office stuff into the basement.”

  “Uh-huh.” Jenna’s tone implied she didn’t believe a word.

  “I am,” she said firmly, her gaze darting to see if he was listening. As he carried a box inside, she stepped beside the open trunk of his car. “He was up all last night and looked like he was about to drop. So I stayed to help him finish.”

  “I’m not judging. Just be careful.”

  “Careful? Jenna, your mind is going way off base. I’ll be home soon. We only have a few boxes to unload.” She ended the call before Jenna could voice more of her out-there notions.

  Daniel strode outside and propped his arm on the trunk, his broad shoulders blocking out the light from the church entrance. “I can get the last of it. Go on home to your family.”

  Cold wind sent a chill through her. She pushed her hair behind her ears as she reached for a box. “No, I’m good.” Since he was so tired, he hadn’t had his charmer persona so firmly in place that night. He’d acted more real, vulnerable. She wasn’t ready yet to leave that behind.

  He put a hand on her arm to stop her. “I’ll get the books. They’re too heavy.”

  Grabbing her hair into a bundle to keep it out of her face, she looked up at him, laughed. “The boxes are practically all books. Doesn’t leave much for me to do.”

  “I’ve always devoured books—fiction, nonfiction.”

  “Escapism?” she dared ask.

  With his hands in his pockets, he shrugged. “Maybe. I started reading a lot about the time my mom died.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Eight.” He raised his eyes to the sky. “Orion,” he said as he pointed out the group of stars. Checking out the constellations. Avoiding talking about his past.

  “How did she die?”

  “Cancer.”

  Her heart ached for him. “Must’ve been difficult for you and your dad, with you so young.”

  “Yeah.” His shoulders tensed, and then he snatched a box of books from the trunk as if it didn’t weigh a thing and walked away. She picked up a lightweight box of office supplies and followed him inside. When she got to his office, she found him stacking books on his newly built shelf.

  “I’m sorry if I pushed,” she said.

  “No. It’s okay.”

  When he turned around in the small office, they were standing nearly toe-to-toe. He stared down into her eyes. “My dad wasn’t able to be there for me. He was too deep in his own grief.”

  “Tough on a boy who needed his dad.” She wanted to reach out to him. To comfort. But she didn’t dare. She sensed the admission was a big moment for him. He might shut down if she touched him.

  He took one step closer, so close she could see the ring of dark blue around his bright blue irises. “Thank you for understanding that.”

  The air stilled as they stared at each other, but it also pulsed with energy, energy that made her heart race and breathing difficult. As he leaned closer, the scent of winter air and man invading her senses, she held her breath.

  Was he going to kiss her?

  Her eyes fluttered closed. Yes, he was going to kiss her.

  She sucked in a breath, and the intake of oxygen served to clear her head. Sanity snapped her eyes wide-open. What on earth was she doing? She wanted too much—love, trust, total commitment, security, permanence—and Daniel couldn’t give all that.

  “I better go,” she said, his lips so close she could feel their warmth. The words stopped his forward motion, shattering the connection. A close call.

  Daniel tensed and stepped away. “Yes. Good idea.” He turned to his shelf and jammed another book into an empty spot with more force than necessary. “I appreciate the work you did. See you tomorrow.”

  Not if she could help it. She’d gotten the last of her aunt’s belongings out of the basement yesterday. The space was all Daniel’s now. She had no reason to travel those stairs again.

  No, he wouldn’t see her tomorrow—not for the worship service, not socially.

  She’d nearly fallen into his arms like some kind of weak, dreamy fool. She wouldn’t put herself in that position again.

  * * *

  What if Lilly didn’t show for the first service in their new church location because of his actions the night before? Running a hand over his jaw, Daniel tried to push Lilly out of his mind to prepare, but his conscience drew his thoughts right back to her. He’d let her kindness suck him in. Had let his attraction to her get the best of him. How could he have leaned in like that, ready to kiss a woman who had trust issues—a woman he had no intention of starting a relationship with?

  He needed to explain himself to her. If he could figure it out himself.

  When he walked out of his new office, he ran into his grandmother and dad. “What a nice surprise.”

  “We wanted to see your new space and support you on your first Sunday here,” Gran said. “It looks like a whole new place!”

  “It’s awfully humid down here,” Blake said in his usual disapproving tone.

  Too tired to deal with his dad’s negativity, he didn’t even try to hold back a frustrated sigh. “I had to leave the door open because of traces of paint fumes. Just turned on the dehumidifiers a little while ago.”

  With a deep breath and quick prayer for patience, he turned to his grandmother. “I appreciate you both coming.”

  “We told Phil we’d be worshipping here today. He sends his thanks for working with his nephew.”

  “I hope it’s helping.” Phil might not be so appreciative if Daniel ended up reporting Ricky for being late on Friday. He needed to make a decision about whether to talk to Ricky’s caseworker on Monday. Maybe he’d been telling the truth about trying to find the church location. Maybe they needed to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  Like Daniel hoped Lilly would give him the benefit of the doubt.

  As he placed his notes on a front table, he searched for Parker, Ian and Ricky. Not one of the teens had arrived. He made his way around the room welcoming everyone to their new church home, hoping the teens would show. Parker had only come once. The others claimed excuses each week. But he’d hoped assisting with the renovation might generate interest. He wouldn’t give up.

  Clusters of people stood around talking. He hadn’t spotted Lilly, even though her car had been in the lot that morning.

  He stepped into his office, pulled out his cell phone and typed a text message. Sorry about last night. Was tired. Hope you and Jenna will come today. After wavering for a split second, he hit the send button.

  Sending a text wasn’t the perfect way to deal with the situation, but it was the best he could do with Lilly hiding out somewhere and the service about to start.

  As much as he’d told himself to avoid her, he’d nearly dived in headfirst last night. If she hadn’t come to her senses, he would have kissed her.

  Lilly Barnes kept him awake at night, had him tied in knots. For what? A woman who put up walls faster than a defensive line. A woman who wasn’t right for him. A woman who needed stability his life’s calling wouldn’t offer.

  “Daniel,” Frank’s voice boomed. “We’re waiting on you.”

  He’d have to do a better job protecting himself. He couldn’t afford to fall for someone like Lilly.

  * * *

  Lilly couldn’t resist.

  She set aside her bookkeeping and stepped quietly across the yarn shop floor toward the basement door. She didn’t dare attend the service. Especially not without Jenna, who’d elected to stay home since Ned was working and wouldn’t be there. She’d claimed the tears at the previous service had been over her marriage falling apart, but Lilly couldn’t help wondering if it was more. If maybe Jenna was afraid to come back.

&n
bsp; Lilly’s curiosity over the service wouldn’t let up. She wanted to listen to the comments, to discover how the church members responded to their first Sunday at the new site.

  She’d helped Daniel set up, so naturally, she’d be interested.

  As she neared the door to the basement, she looked once again at the new chairs in the gathering area....

  New nicely padded folding chairs.

  Exactly like the ones downstairs.

  A gift from the church? From Daniel? Yes, probably a gift from Daniel—a peace offering after he’d nearly put a move on her last night. Embarrassment over his apologetic text stung her cheeks.

  The seats would make her class members more comfortable. But should she keep them?

  The keyboard downstairs started playing, and once again, curiosity got the best of her. She slipped open the door as hands clapped to the beat and voices rose in song. She took a step down. Someone made a bumping sound near the bottom of the stairs and drove her back inside the shop, where she quickly shut the door. She wouldn’t risk getting caught sneaking around.

  As she headed to grab her purse to leave, she glanced once more at Daniel’s message. He said he’d been tired. Was he offering that as an excuse for the near kiss?

  Sorry I leaned in and nearly planted my lips on yours. I was just tired. Not thinking straight. Would never have done it if I weren’t sleep deprived.

  Yeah, that’s probably what he meant by his cryptic message.

  Her stomach quivered as she recalled his closeness, the blue of his eyes, the curve of his lips, the day’s growth of beard—stubble a shade deeper than his dark golden blond hair.

  A dumb move on her part to stand there waiting for the near kiss. Like a deer in headlights—except her eyes fell closed as if she was foolish enough to fall at his feet.

  She jabbed at the button to delete the offending text and jammed her phone into her purse. Was she such a bad catch that he wouldn’t even want to kiss her while in his right mind?

  Embarrassment burned her face as tears stung her eyes. She had to get out of here.

  She slung her purse over her shoulder and exited the shop. As she unlocked her car, leaves rustled nearby. She gasped and jerked around.

  “Hey, Lilly.” Ricky Hartley stood on the sidewalk wearing raggedy jeans and a thin nylon jacket—too thin for the cold winter morning. “Skipping out on church?” he said with a smirk.

  She quickly blinked away the tears and squared her shoulders against the teen towering over her. “I wasn’t here for the service—I came in to do some work.” She nodded toward the side of the building. “They just started, if you want to go in.”

  His eyes narrowed as he examined her. Did she have mascara under her eyes?

  “Nah. I was passing by. You okay?”

  Yeah, right. He happened to be driving toward Appleton and parked and got out of his vehicle. “I’m fine. I imagine Daniel is hoping you’ll show. Go on inside.”

  Panic flitted across his face before he fortified himself with the tough-guy exterior. “My uncle told me I had to come. I figure he’s going to call Daniel to see if I showed, and might call my caseworker if I don’t. I don’t need her on my back, too.”

  Trying to make an excuse for showing up.

  Like me? Her chest tightened. She hadn’t needed to come to work today. The books would have kept until Monday.

  He picked up a rock and tossed it far into the woods that surrounded the shop. “I’ve got too many people tellin’ me what to do.”

  Poor Ricky. If he were truly a troublemaker, he wouldn’t care what his uncle or his caseworker thought. “I suggest you head down there and prove to your uncle he can trust you.”

  His eyes flashed. “You think I care if he trusts me? He’s not my dad, even if he tries to act like it.”

  “Where is your dad?” She asked it quietly, hoping not to push him away.

  Ricky shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and kicked at a pile of leaves. If he didn’t have the scraggly goatee, he’d look like a kid goofing around in the yard.

  “Never knew my dad. I doubt my mom’s even sure who he is.”

  His words slammed into her. “I’m sorry. That must be tough.”

  He shrugged.

  “Do you live with your mom?”

  Anger simmered in his eyes. “She took off who-knows-where with her boyfriend after we got kicked out of our apartment.”

  Lilly nearly groaned out loud. “Oh, man. I know about getting evicted.”

  His gaze met hers, darted away. “For real?”

  “Happened when I was about seven. Again at thirteen.” Memories of the humiliation and fear scalded her face. “So where do you stay now?”

  “At a friend’s house.”

  “I see.”

  “I’m an adult, you know. Almost eighteen. This court-ordered stuff, and Phil trying to get guardianship, is a joke.”

  The kid was hurting. And she knew from personal experience that he wouldn’t head toward help on his own. He’d thrown up barriers that would stay in place unless someone forced him to engage with the people trying to support him.

  “Come on.” She nodded toward the side of the building. “I didn’t want to go by myself since my sister didn’t come. If you’ll go with me, I won’t feel so conspicuous.”

  He studied her, as if doubting her sincerity. When she didn’t flinch, his lip twitched. “So you were sneaking out.”

  Apparently, he recognized a kindred spirit when he saw one, because he turned and headed toward the church entrance without waiting to see if she followed.

  Against her better judgment, she did.

  Chapter Six

  Being around Ned always made Daniel think of Lilly. Although he didn’t require reminding since she seemed to stay lodged in his mind.

  She’d come to the worship service yesterday, had even brought Ricky.

  But she’d avoided him. Hadn’t said one word to him. And had hightailed it out of there as soon as they said the final amen.

  Daniel hefted the last of the broken-down cardboard boxes from the basement of The Yarn Barn and took them outside to the bed of Ned’s truck. “Thanks for hauling these off for recycling.”

  Ned climbed into the cab and rolled down his window. He gave the key a twist, and the engine growled to life. He smiled at Daniel, but it seemed strained. He hadn’t been himself since he had left Jenna. He stayed active at church and work, but his eyes had lost their spark.

  “So, Daniel, except for another coat of paint, the move from Frank’s is done. What next?”

  “Keep doing ministry.” Daniel had been thinking along the same lines all morning. One big item checked off his to-do list—but there was still plenty on it. “Hey, that reminds me. The new food pantry is about to open in Appleton. The Smiths donated the materials for shelving for food storage. Could you get someone to help you hang it?”

  “I’ll do it later this week.”

  “Thanks. I’ve also been toying with an idea....”

  “Nope. Can’t do it.” He laughed. “Just jokin’. What is it?”

  “When I visited Cricket today, Mrs. Quincy confirmed the need for a support group for teen girls. She’s even willing to help fund activities for the meetings.”

  “Sounds like a good plan. What kind of activity did you have in mind?”

  “That’s the big question.” He tightened a rope holding the tarp. “I’ve been thinking these girls might like to learn to knit. And since you have some connections at the yarn shop...”

  Ned’s face turned red. “I’m not exactly in the good graces of the Barnes sisters right now.”

  Daniel winced. “Sorry. I’d hoped it might be a way to get you and Jenna talking.”

  He shook his head. “We could use your
continued prayers.”

  “You’ve got it.” He reached out and shook Ned’s hand. “Thanks again for hauling the boxes.”

  A little life flashed in his sad eyes. “Hey, you and Lilly seemed close at lunch over at Frank’s last week. Why not talk to her?”

  They’d been a little too close lately. “Not sure about that....”

  “Lilly’s practical and all business. If hosting the girls will help the yarn shop in some way, I think she’ll go for it. Besides, she’s got a good heart, especially when it comes to people down on their luck.”

  “Thanks for the tip.” He waved and walked inside.

  Surely he could stay focused on business for five minutes, could go talk to her about a worthy project without wanting to run his fingers through her hair or to kiss her.

  He would stay focused on touting what the support group could do for The Yarn Barn’s business, and what a difference it could make to the girls. Before he could overthink his plan, he headed upstairs.

  Lilly had a customer and looked startled that the basement door had opened. “Can I help you, Daniel?” she asked. She sounded neutral, so much so that he wondered if she’d received his apology text.

  “I’ll wait here until you’re done.” He stepped over to the gathering area and sat in one of the nice new chairs. Rather than send several extra chairs back to the store, he’d bought them for her, wanting to do something since she’d helped him finish the place Saturday night.

  Once her customer checked out with what looked to be a large bag of stuff, she joined him. “What’s up?”

  He nodded toward the front door. “A big sale?”

  “Very big.” Her neutral expression warmed.

  “That’s fantastic.”

  “Now, if we could get more people in here to do the same, we’d be in good shape.”

  The perfect lead-in. “I have an idea for how we can bring some new business your way.” Proud of himself for staying on task, he motioned for her to have a seat beside him.

  She hesitated, concern drawing together her brows. Worried that he might act like he had on Saturday night?