Jerk. If only she could call him that, but he was right. Kat’s Korner was on a downward spiral and there wasn’t much she could do about it. Except one thing.
She’d been thinking over Alec’s business skills for the last few days. Maybe she could cut a deal with him, if he’d even be interested in working with her. She eyed him, knowing he studied her in the same way. Working together could change everything. The thought crept through her on bony fingers and she shivered.
He watched her, mouth set in a grim line as though he debated his next words. She would speak first. Take action for once in her life.
Deep breath. Be brave and say what you think. "Alec, I . . ."
Cocking his head to the side, he waited.
A rush of thankfulness made her almost dizzy. "You have so many business skills, I was wondering if you might like to make a deal."
His fingers steepled and his elbows settled more firmly on his knees. "I’ve been thinking the same thing."
Heartbeat tripling, pounding hard beats against her chest, she forced an even breath.
"And?"
"Why don’t you tell me your thoughts?" Alec leaned back on her couch and stretched his legs out. In that moment, despite the hair in need of a trim and the worn leather jacket, he sounded how she’d imagined a businessman would: smooth, savvy, in control.
And she was completely unprepared. Her hands fisted in her lap. "Maybe I could hire you to give me some advice?"
That sounded so lame.
"Hire me? With what money?"
She cringed.
He leaned forward, his thoughts hidden behind intent features. "Have you paid your rent?"
"Yes."
"Ever been late?"
"That’s not—"
"If you have, there’s a good chance the building’s owner doesn’t have to renew your lease."
"But I’ve been there for years." An itch burrowed at her throat. She clutched her neck.
Alec’s brow creased and a strange play of emotions crossed his face. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he looked torn with indecision. Not Alec though. No, he probably had some kind of plan.
The thought eased the scratch inside and she moved her hand away from her neck. "Will you help me, even if there’s a chance the owner doesn’t renew?"
"That’s a lot to ask."
"I know." Because her lips trembled, because she couldn’t stand the shame of having to beg, she looked down. Anything to save her store. If she had to get down on her knees, she would.
"I’ll buy half of the ownership of Kat’s Korner from you." His resolute tone lifted her head. "I’ll take over the book-keeping and advertising. Who does the accounting now?"
"I do." This partnership might change her whole life.
"No wonder you’re sinking." His arms crossed. "You need a professional. Why would you even attempt to balance the books? Have you paid your taxes?"
She bristled. "You act as if I don’t know anything. My accounts are in perfect condition."
Alec snorted.
"Fine." Katrina tamped down her frustration at his cocky attitude. He was the expert here, she was desperate and that was the only reason he’d get to touch her books. "You can partner in with me but you’re only getting twenty-five percent of the business. And I make all the major decisions."
"Good." His quick acceptance took her aback. It didn’t smack of the business shark she’d heard of throughout the years. "We’ll go over a contract later. Let’s talk about Sharon." He leaned forward and his relaxed posture slipped away, replaced by an astute concentration. "You rescued her."
Katrina squirmed at the admiration in his words. "No, not really."
"When I saw you the other day, that’s what you were doing."
"She just needs a place to stay. For now."
"You didn’t used to be so generous."
Shame, insidious creature, tried to make her blush. "I’m different now."
"I see." He leaned back and threw his arms behind his head.
Did he believe her? She couldn’t tell.
"What are we going to do about Sharon?"
"We?" She raised her brow at him.
"You don’t have the funds to take care of her."
A soft scuff against the carpet took their attention. Sharon inched into the living room. "I hope you don’t mind, Katrina, but I put the kids in your room to watch a movie."
"That’s fine." She glanced away. Had Sharon heard Alec’s last words?
"Sit down." Alec patted the space beside him and Sharon shuffled over, keeping her black eye turned away from him. She sat near him and his face was soft when he looked at her. Envy, ugly and unexpected, turned the taste of Katrina’s mouth sour. She looked down at her hands until the illogical feeling passed.
"Something needs to be done about your husband, Sharon."
"I know." Sharon peeked at Katrina beneath lowered lids.
Katrina frowned. "I didn’t tell him anything else."
"Sharon." Alec’s baritone sounded like a gentle croon. Sharon looked at him, her face twisted, scared. "We want to help you, but you need to admit your desire for help."
Katrina stiffened at his words. Pushing things already. She glared at him, until she saw Sharon’s lower lip quiver.
"I need help," she said, voice shaking so badly Katrina could barely make out her words. "I married an abusive man and in my foolishness, I stayed with him. My kids have suffered for it."
Katrina’s eyelids stung.
Sharon took a visible breath. "I need to find a place to stay where I won’t be putting my friends in danger. He came the other night and if Katrina hadn’t called the police I’m not sure what would’ve happened." She glanced to where her hands twisted in her lap. "I’m weak where he’s concerned."
Katrina swallowed the lump in her throat, humbled by Sharon’s vulnerable admission. Sharon had a lot on her plate. Her worries about Kat’s Korner paled in comparison to Sharon’s problems.
So what if she had to share the store for awhile? At least she didn’t have to fear for her life. At least she had the comfort of financial income, however measly it seemed at times.
She stole a look at Alec and melted against the chair. Compassion had relaxed his mouth, put warmth into his granite features. Despite the creases by his eyes, he almost looked like the boy she used to love.
A quick movement and he cupped Sharon’s hands within his. "I know this is sudden, but I have an empty place in New York I’ve been trying to rent."
*****
"You don’t belong here."
Alec turned at the confident voice. "In church or in town?" He’d returned this afternoon from getting Sharon and her family settled in New York. After checking into his hotel, he followed an odd impulse to come to Wednesday evening service at Katrina’s church.
"You know what I mean." Rachel stood before him, a red-headed rock blocking the flow of traffic down the church hallway. "In Katrina’s life."
"Maybe you should move." He gestured towards the people weaving around her, then turned back to the nursery window, effectively giving her his back.
She didn’t like that. In a swift move, she cut to his side. "I know you’re up to something, and I always find my answers."
"It’s admirable you want to protect your friend, Rachel."
A suspicious quirk twisted her eyes into a squint. "Are you trying to disarm me with some kind of business psychoanalysis?"
He chuckled because the idea that he’d even care about her plans was ridiculous.
"You laugh now but—" Her face paled. "Are you watching Katrina?"
Nosy. "You haven’t changed."
"Not when it comes to my friends."
"Maybe you should let Katrina and I work things out on our own." Alec focused on Katrina through the tiny nursery window. She held a little boy in her lap, rocking him, touching his hair. Her expression was soft, more peaceful than he’d seen it yet.
Thoughtful, he stroked his chin. Had she l
ooked like this with Joey? Mothering, sweet, unselfish love. Nothing like her own mother, he bet.
Or his.
Rachel shifted beside him as parents came to the nursery door.
"There shouldn’t be anything to work out," she said quietly.
He didn’t look away from Kitty, the timid sway of her dress as she stood from the rocking chair an unexpected entrancement. Fingers tightening into fists, he swallowed and forced his gaze to Rachel’s face.
"Did you realize I never knew I had a son?"
The spatter of freckles across Rachel’s cheeks darkened as the blood drained from her face. "Shhhhh." Her gaze traveled past him.
"Another secret?" he bit out.
"Alec Munroe." A gnarled voice interrupted them.
Alec dragged his sight from Rachel and let it rest on the Widow Carmichael. His jaw tightened. "Widow."
"I heard you were in town. Exorcising your demons, I hope."
So close to the truth, but not the truth she’d guess. "How is your family?"
"Still mourning the loss of my son." The cane beneath her palm trembled and on instinct he moved forward. She jerked back. "You should leave. We don’t want you."
Her lips, already thin, flattened into a line on her craggy face. She’d aged, not gracefully like Ms. Lincoln, but as though she’d been dragged through an unkind time, the contents of her soul imprinted in each ravaged line of her face.
Alec frowned down at her. "What happened wasn’t my fault."
"The Lord sees. He knows." At that cryptic remark, she shuffled down the emptying hall. People made a wide berth for her hunched form.
Alec thumbed the pockets of his jeans and frowned.
"Ignore her." Rachel scowled. "I don’t like you but what happened to Mr. Carmichael wasn’t your fault. He had it coming, one way or the other."
True, but it didn’t make Alec happy about the incident. He looked through the nursery window again, watched as Katrina cleaned up toys, wiped down chairs. Her hair hung loose in gentle waves, framing a face that hadn’t gone unscathed by time either.
Moving towards the nursery entrance, he saw Rachel leave the church from the corner of his eye. Good. He waited by the door. Hallway lights were turned off. The doors to the sanctuary closed and people sent him funny looks as they left.
He waited until there was complete silence. One light left on, near the exit.
He peeked around the corner of the doorframe but saw only darkness in the nursery. Had Katrina left? How could he have missed her? He ploughed through the doors but stopped when he rounded the corner of the nursery wall. There, shadowed in a rocking chair near a crib, she sat.
Didn’t even look up.
"I’ll lock up, Joe. I just need a minute." Her voice fell flat in the room, a hollow echo of the Kitty he once knew.
"It’s Alec," he said, limbs frozen by the dead stillness of her posture.
A small sigh, the slightest droop to her shoulders, then she rose as though an old woman, arthritis-crippled. She shuffled past him and some deep part of him, a sliver of feeling for the girl he’d once loved, compelled him to reach out and touch her shoulder.
Just the slightest brush of his fingers against cotton.
Her gaze crept to his. Dry-eyed.
Any anger he’d nursed towards her dissipated beneath the stark desert of her features. Digging in his pocket, he pulled out a slip of paper and held it out to her.
"This is Sharon’s new cell number. Call her as much as you want."
Katrina’s eyes flickered, then she reached out and took the paper. "Thank you." With hardly a change in her expression, she left him alone in the darkened room.
CHAPTER NINE
"She’s all settled?" Katrina’s hands clasped tight as she studied Alec hunched over her desk. Last night’s exchange replayed in her mind. Alec had taken Sharon and her family to New York and he must’ve returned yesterday, though why he’d shown up at the church when they’d planned to work on books Thursday was beyond her. He could’ve given her Sharon’s number today.
"They’re fine. It’s a good neighborhood." He pored over the scribbled ledgers, voice distracted. "I bought the condo for an investment and it’s just sitting there. She’ll take care of it for me and in return she’s got a cheap place to live."
"Sharon told me you’re not charging her rent."
Alec shrugged and didn’t look at her. Sucking in a groan, Katrina stood up. She didn’t know what to think of him anymore. As a young man he’d been ruthless, self-absorbed. Charming, but still completely selfish.
Like she’d been.
This act of kindness unbalanced her. She paced the small office, hands shoved into the pockets of her faded jeans. What should she think of him now? Jilted bridegroom with motive for revenge or a man returning for . . .what? Love? Impossible. Her forehead wrinkled.
It didn’t make sense he’d come home for a reunion with people who’d called him a liar and blamed him for what happened to Mr. Carmichael. He’d mentioned business that first day in the store.
What business? She could ask, but it felt like prying. Chewing her inner cheek, she paused in her pacing to glance at his dark head bent over her desk. They’d been in the office now for two hours, ever since the store closed. She pressed her fingers to her eyes. Her emotions teetered between trust and suspicion. Torn. She hated that feeling.
Finally, Alec swiveled in the chair and faced her, mouth grim.
"You need an accountant."
"I can’t afford one."
"Your math skills stink. Also, pay attention to prices. You’re being overcharged for office items you can buy cheaper in bulk."
"I do my best," Katrina answered defensively. Her glasses began to slip down her nose and she pushed them up quickly. She hadn’t asked for a lecture on her mathematical abilities or lack of business sense.
"Why did you decide to let me partner in?" Alec studied her carefully, his neatly combed hair contrasting with the shadow darkening his cheeks and jaw.
The question caught Katrina off-guard. "I knew I needed help."
"Then let me help."
A hard gulp. "You’re right. You have experience and your offer seemed like an answer to prayer."
"Did Joey learn about God too?"
His abrupt change of subject halted her stiff pacing. "I became a Christian shortly after he was born. Yes, he knew Jesus and loved Him."
Alec’s eyes darkened and for a second Katrina thought she saw pain before it was quickly masked.
"I went to church too," he said after a moment. "Became a Christian, tried to live right."
"Wow." Katrina didn’t bother to hide her surprise and gaped at him. "When was this?"
"A few months ago. It was a good church, I just move around too much and staying involved became challenging, so I stopped going." His fingers drummed the edge of her desk before he abruptly stood. "Let’s get some dinner."
"Out, like a restaurant?"
"You need to eat."
The lights flickered and then came back on just in time for her to see his frown. "Did you pay your electric bill?"
"No, I bought new computers instead." Did he really believe she was that much of a ditz? Or just irresponsible? "Of course, I paid it. Sometimes the wires short." She pointed to the metal box peeking out from behind the door. "If it ever happens, there’s the breakers. Just flip them and the lights will be fine."
"Does Lynn have trouble with the Pizza Place’s breakers shorting?"
"I really don’t know." Her stomach growled. Maybe she could handle a meal with him after all. "C’mon. I’m hungrier than I thought."
And so, ten minutes later, Katrina found herself sitting across from him next door. He’d been right, she was starving and after two slices of gooey pepperoni pizza she finally felt full.
Alec paid and she let him. Something shifted inside when she’d found out he was a Christian. His confession explained the used Bible he’d brought to church. During the meal they talked. She w
as curious as to whether he’d converted or simply went to church. From what he said, it sounded as if being a Christian was as real to him as it had once been to her, and that made her want to trust him.
"What did you think of the home movies?" she asked on the short walk through the parking lot. The sky had darkened to an inky black and a warm wind feathered through her hair. It was comfortable, the thick perfume of imminent rain relaxing her, and she suddenly wanted to hear what he thought of their son.
"Joey was beautiful." Alec walked beside her with his head down. "Funny and smart."
"Yes, he was." She gripped her purse. "Please forgive me, Alec."
"I made myself difficult to find. And with mom sending back your letters . . ." His voice tightened. "It’s hard to believe I never suspected I had a son. He was precious, Katrina. A gift I missed out on."
Katrina stopped at her car, her breath shallow. She wanted to apologize again. Forever, because she could never take back her mistakes. Regardless of his mom’s deception, she could have done so much more. Looked him up on any social media site. Googled his name until she found a number or an address. Shoulders heavy, she fumbled to get the car keys from her purse.
"We can go to his grave later, if you’d like," she said. The situation with Sharon had derailed their plans.
"I went by myself."
"Oh." Katrina hid her dismay by digging harder through her purse, head bent. Even though she hadn’t wanted to share that special place initially, the idea had grown on her. The hard coldness of the keys connected with her fingers. She clasped them and looked up.
Alec rubbed the back of his neck. "I don’t want to blame you, Katrina." His hands slid down her arms, a warm friction of skin against skin, and then fell to rest on her wrists. "Thank you for telling him about me. He said hi on his sixth birthday. Do you remember that movie?"
She nodded, vision blurring. The contents of every single video were forever etched onto her soul.
"I wish I could’ve known him." Alec’s hands fell away, leaving her cold. His tone became brisk. "I’ll be back in the store tomorrow to organize your books and move those couches out."
"Okay," Katrina said without thinking, then paused. "What’s happening with the couches?"
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