by Rachel Hanna
“You don’t understand, but they wouldn’t let me adopt you even if I wanted to. You see, I’m new in town and I don’t have a job or a place to live. I stay at the inn.” Faith stammered out the words, trying like crazy to make the little girl understand.
“Everything okay here?” Olivia asked as she walked into the tent and felt the tension in the air.
Faith looked up at her. “Um, yeah. Everything is fine.”
Olivia looked concerned but didn’t push further. “So, Brandon tells me you need a break. Addy is coming over to take your paintbrushes.”
“What?”
“Hey, ladies. Ready to go?” Brandon asked as he walked over. He’d changed his clothes to a more suitable pair of shorts and a polo shirt.
“Go where?” Faith was utterly confused.
“I told you. We’re having a day of fun!”
She didn’t feel like having fun right now. She felt like crying and running off with Amelia under her arm.
“But Olivia needs me here, Brandon.”
“No, she doesn’t. I’m a trained face painter,” Addy said with a smile as she arrived beside the tent. “Go on. Have a fun day!”
Faith looked at Amelia. The little girl deserved a fun day that was all about her. Odds were no one had ever done something like this for her before, and leave it to Brandon to plan this.
“Okay. Thanks, Addy. I really appreciate it.”
Addy hugged Faith. “He’s a great guy. Enjoy your date,” she whispered in Faith’s ear.
“It’s not a date,” Faith whispered back. Addy just smiled and waved as they walked away with Amelia between them.
Brandon was stuffed. Between the hot dogs and ice cream he’d had in the last couple of hours, he felt like he needed a nice long nap. But he wasn’t going to let either one of these women down.
Amelia was a great kid. Full of spunk and joy, he had a hard time understanding how anyone wouldn’t want her as their daughter. He’d always dreamed of having a daughter, or actually two daughters and one son. For as long as Brandon could remember, this was his dream family. Just the five of them conquering the world.
But he was nowhere close to living that dream. He was painfully single. Nights were the hardest for him. He was lonely in his nice little beach house, and he’d lie in bed thinking about the future and wondering if he’d ever be a husband and father. Most guys his age were either already married with kids or at least engaged. And though his married friends often told him to enjoy bachelorhood more, he wasn’t interested in hanging out in bars or perusing the online dating world.
He wanted his own family. It was another thing to consider when he thought about going back overseas. He wanted to help people. He wanted to make a difference in their lives. But he also, maybe selfishly in his eyes, wanted a certain kind of life for himself. It was a tough balancing act.
“She’s having a great time, isn’t she?” Faith asked again. She was so worried Amelia wasn’t having fun even though the kid had been smiling since the first carousel ride.
“Yes, she’s having a blast,” Brandon whispered back. He loved whispering in her ear. Her hair was blowing in the ocean breeze, and he could smell what appeared to be strawberry scented shampoo.
“All thanks to you,” she said, looking up at him. She really was a beautiful woman. Smart. Caring. Stop it, Brandon. Don’t do this to yourself.
“And you,” he said. She smiled. And when she smiled, he melted a little inside. This was bad.
“Look at her. She’s got quite an arm,” Faith said, pointing at Amelia who was currently flinging baseballs at targets, trying to win a giant stuffed pink bear she’d been eyeing all day.
“If she doesn’t get it, I will,” Brandon said, flexing his muscles. “Played baseball all four years in…”
“Got it!” Amelia yelled out, jumping up and down with a huge grin on her face.
Faith turned around and laughed at Brandon. “Guess you’ll have to use those guns for something else.”
His first thought was picking her up and carrying her down the beach. Stop it, Brandon! Yeah, that wasn’t working.
Faith walked down the beach, the edges of the water touching her toes over and over before retreating. It was quiet, all except the faint sounds of people still milling about on the pier behind them, taking in the final moments of the yearly carnival.
Olivia had taken Amelia back to the group home she was currently in while waiting for placement. As Faith had watched her walk away, not knowing when or if she’d see her again, her heart had felt as if it literally might break into pieces. Thankfully, Brandon had pulled her away and invited her for a walk on the beach.
But even the beauty of the ocean and the pink sky peeking up over the horizon wasn’t doing anything to improve her mood. She felt utterly helpless.
“I know you’re worried, Faith,” Brandon finally said.
She sighed. “I am. But worrying won’t do me any good. I just hope they find Amelia a good, stable home with parents who love her.”
“Me too,” he said, adding his own sigh. He stopped and touched her arm. She turned to face him, and he put his hands on her shoulders. “You’ve done good things for her, Faith. And for the other HOPE kids. I’m proud of you.”
She had no idea why those words made her tear up, but they did. The fact that someone, especially Brandon, was actually proud of her meant everything. He’d been a virtual stranger a few weeks ago, but now he was the best friend she’d ever had.
“Thank you,” she said softly. And then everything started moving in slow motion as she saw him leaning in, his eyes staring at hers. Did she want him to kiss her? Was this a good idea? And how was she having all of these lucid thoughts in the split second before his lips would be touching hers…
“Excuse me, can you take a picture of us?” An unfamiliar voice broke the moment open like a stick of dynamite before Brandon’s lips could make it to their destination. “Sorry to interrupt, but we’re trying to get a family picture in front of the sunset,” the woman said, pointing to her husband and two small children behind her. She held out her phone to Faith, who was frozen in place, so Brandon reached around and took it.
“Sure. I’d be glad to,” Brandon said, smiling at the woman. He quickly snapped a picture, and watched as they moved on down the beach.
Faith stood there, unsure of what to say. “Cute kids,” she finally stammered.
“Yeah. Kids are cute.” Brandon paused for a moment and then burst out laughing. “And the parents sure can ruin a mood, huh?”
Faith giggled. “Just a bit.”
“Maybe it’s for the best. I mean, you looked a little terrified.”
“I did?” She said as they started walking again.
“You looked like a deer in the headlights, as they say.”
“Well, you seemed a little hesitant yourself,” she said, not really meaning it but wanting to see his reaction.
“Doubtful.”
“Oh really? You weren’t hesitant about kissing me?”
There. She’d said it. She’d blurted out the great big kissing elephant in the room. Brandon stopped and turned to her, his arms crossed against his chest.
“I wasn’t the least bit hesitant about kissing you, Faith.”
She couldn’t breathe for a moment as he just looked at her. “I don’t think I’m ready for this.” She heard the words fall out of her mouth and instantly regretted them. She was ready. She did want to plant a big wet kiss on Brandon’s lips, so why was she saying this?
Brandon’s face fell a bit, but he quickly recovered with his amazing, approachable smile. “You’ve been through a lot lately. I can understand that. Can’t blame a guy for trying, right?”
She let out a nervous laugh, and they started walking again. “I guess not.”
They made their way down the beach and between a couple of houses until they were on the main street leading to Addy’s Inn. Faith felt more uncomfortable than she’d felt in her life, and she jus
t wanted to scurry upstairs and curl into the fetal position until morning.
“Listen, about that awkward moment on the beach…” Brandon said.
Faith glanced up at the inn. So close, yet so far. “Let’s just forget it.”
“I just want to say something.”
“Okay.”
Brandon put his hands on her shoulders again. This was a recipe for disaster as she wanted to scoot forward and lay her head on his chest just to see how it felt.
“We’re friends, Faith, and I wouldn’t ever do anything to screw that up. But let me just say that the invitation is always open. Got it?”
Her face started to flush. “Got it,” she eked out before turning to head inside. She opened the door and peeked out the stained glass window insert to watch Brandon walk down the road.
Chapter 9
Faith walked down the sidewalk, looking in each of the store windows. She’d been in January Cove for months now, but she’d never taken the time to visit all of the local shops. One in particular she’d been avoiding just because she knew she’d put on an extra ten pounds if she got addicted, and that was Sweet Cakes.
Everyone in town had been talking about the amazing desserts at Laura Bennett’s bakery, so she decided today was the day. After all, it was her birthday, and she didn’t have any special plans.
She’d been thinking more and more about her birthmother today. Being that this was her first birthday knowing she was adopted, a part of her felt like it was missing. She wanted to find her birthmother, or any family member really, but that had been pushed to the back of her mind lately as she focused on working at HOPE.
Still, if she planned to stay in January Cove, she had to get a real, paying job soon. And that would mean less volunteer time, which made her sad.
Faith pulled the door open to Sweet Cakes and was surprised to see Olivia sitting at a table in the corner alone. Her always vibrant friend was solemn, her face almost blank, as she sat there with a cupcake in front of her.
“Olivia? You okay?”
Olivia looked up, surprised to see Faith standing there. “Oh. Hey, Faith. Yeah, I’m fine.”
Faith pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. “You don’t look fine. Did something happen?”
“Just having a tough day. But it’ll pass, and I’ll be okay.”
“Wanna talk about it?” Faith prodded.
Olivia smiled sadly. “No. But thank you. It’s just something I have to deal with.”
Faith hoped it wasn’t related to her marriage. Or what if it was about one of the kids?
“Is it about Amelia?” Faith finally asked, unable to hold in her concern.
Olivia smiled and touched her hand. “No, honey. She’s still in the group home. The judge is making final decisions on the case next week.”
“Oh.”
“I know you’re invested in Amelia. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about how you’ll react if and when she gets adopted.”
“I have to be okay with it,” Faith said. “I mean, I want what’s best for her.”
“So what are you doing here today?” Olivia asked, putting on a fake smile.
“Don’t tell anyone, but it’s my birthday,” Faith said.
“Oh, happy birthday!” Olivia said, squeezing Faith’s hand. “And here’s your cake!” She slid the chocolate cupcake across the table toward Faith.
“I’m not eating your cupcake!”
“Oh, I never eat it anyway.”
“I don’t understand. You come here, order a cupcake, look at it and then don’t eat it?”
Olivia laughed. “Long story, don’t ask.”
“Okay…”
“But I do have a birthday present for you!”
“You didn’t know it was my birthday, Liv.”
“I know, but this is perfect timing. I was going to come by Addy’s today to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Would you be interested in a full time position at HOPE?”
Faith’s heart skipped a beat. Working at HOPE would be a dream for her. “Really? But how can you afford that?”
“Well, Susan is leaving. Her husband got transferred to Texas, and that leaves the Assistant Director position open. You’d be perfect, Faith.”
“Assistant Director? Really?” Faith couldn’t get the smile off her face. This meant everything! She could keep working with Olivia and the kids, but get paid for it. This was her dream job.
Wait. Her dream job? She’d never had a dream job until she’d arrived in January Cove. Her life had changed so much in recent months that it was barely recognizable to her.
“I accept!” she said, still beaming. “Thank you so much, Olivia. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Well, I hope you don’t mind that I told Brandon that I was going to offer the job to you. He’d like to have a celebratory dinner party tomorrow night. Is that okay?”
“Of course! I’m just ecstatic. I have to go tell Addy.”
“Not before you eat your birthday cake,” Olivia said, pushing the cupcake closer to her.
“Fine. But not unless you join me,” Faith said, squinting her eyes at Olivia.
“Okay, but this is really breaking my tradition,” she said as she pinched off one side of the dessert.
Brandon had thrown the perfect dinner party to celebrate Faith’s new job. Many of the Parker family were there, and of course Olivia was there.
“Dinner was fab, as always,” Olivia said to Brandon as she headed for the front door.
“Thanks for helping me organize it,” he said, giving her a quick hug.
“See you at work on Monday,” Olivia said to Faith.
“I’ll be there bright and early, boss,” she said, giving her best military salute.
They watched Olivia walk to her car and drive away. The house was now empty, and that always presented a challenge to Faith. The “almost kiss” on the beach had made things a little awkward for a few days, but before she knew it, they were right back to where they were.
“Let me help clean up,” Faith said.
Brandon waved his hand. “No, this was your party. You don’t clean up at your own party.”
“I don’t mind, really.”
He blocked the doorway to the kitchen. “Nope. You go plop down in front of the TV, and let me finish up. I’ll put on a pot of coffee if you’ll stay awhile?”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
“Go sit. One of those singing TV shows is on. I know you like those.”
Faith smiled. “You know me so well.”
“I try.”
She walked to the other side of the house and sat down in one of the big fluffy armchairs. As she watched Brandon from across the open floorplan, she tried to imagine what it might be like if they were married. He’d do the dishes, she’d sit around trying to look pretty. Sounded like a fair compromise.
“I’m going to take this trash out,” Brandon called from the kitchen. Faith nodded.
“Where is the remote? This thing is so loud,” she said to herself. She stood and walked around the room. She picked up a magazine thinking maybe it was underneath, but instead she found a pad of paper. On it there were details about travel to the Middle East and the name of the charity Brandon had worked with in the region.
“Huh. This must be a very old pad of paper,” she said to herself again. Her attention was diverted by a loud ding, and she realized it was Brandon’s cell phone. An unknown person had texted him. She knew she shouldn’t have looked, but she couldn’t help herself so she glanced at it.
I know you don’t want to tell Faith about the plans you’ve made for your future, but time is ticking and she’s going to find out soon. Maybe you should…
“I’m back,” Brandon called as he came back into the house. He stopped and looked at Faith. “Everything okay?”
She swallowed and opened her eyes wide. “Yeah, of course. Listen, I need to leave.”
“What? Why? I just put o
n the coffee.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry but I’m just so tired. And I’ve got work coming up so I need to be fresh, ya know?” She started walking around the living room, searching for her purse while fake yawning.
“Faith, is something wrong? You’re acting a little… frantic.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Then stay. Please. Just for coffee?”
She didn’t want to start a whole “thing”. He wasn’t her boyfriend anyway, so what say so did she have in his life? In her mind, he tried to kiss her, she rebuffed him and now he was planning to leave town. Why did she always drive the men in her life away?
“Okay. But then I really need to get home. It’s getting late.”
“It’s eight-thirty on a Saturday night, Faith.”
She looked at her watch. “Yep.”
He furrowed his eyebrows, still obviously unsure of what was going on with her. “Alrighty then. I’m going to get the coffee ready. You just chill out in there, and I’ll be in shortly.”
Faith went back to the room, but this time sat on the end of the love seat next to the table. She felt no pride as she craned her head to see if more texts had come in.
Keeping this a secret is only going to cause you more stress. I think you just need to tell her because this is a pretty big change you’re making. Maybe she won’t be okay with it…
Oh, God. He was definitely leaving January Cove and going back to the Middle East. There was no other way to interpret the messages. And who were they from? And why did the person even know her name? Her heart sank as she thought about life in January Cove without Brandon.
“Coffee with soy milk and extra sugar,” Brandon said, handing her the cup and saucer. “Oh, there’s my phone. I’ve been looking for it all night.”
“Phone? Oh. I didn’t even see it,” she said, worried that he’d look at her face and realize she was a terrible poker player.
Brandon sat down across from her in one of the chairs. “So, are you excited about your new job?”
She was thankful he seemed to be unaware of what she’d just seen and read. “Yes. Definitely.”
“I know you’ll do great, Faith. You’re a perfect fit at HOPE.”