Nick turned back to Jennie. “Truthfully, I was more interested in the art of food than museums. I learned a few tricks of the trade and some management skills. Enough for me to open and run this place here.” He glanced around at his bistro with pride. “It’s not much, but I like it.”
“You should,” Jennie said, nodding with approval. “Your food is hearty and the décor rustic. The fireplace creates the perfect ambience.” She looked like she wanted to say more, but was hesitant.
Not so with her mother. Louise had no trouble speaking up. “What an interesting life you’ve led, Nick. You say your grandparents raised you? How did that happen, if you don’t mind me asking?”
He did mind, but now that the question was on the table he’d answer it the best way he could. He met her eyes, then Jennie’s, and lastly, John’s. For some reason, he wanted the man’s approval.
With a slight shrug of his shoulder, he turned his palms up. “Not much to say. My mother knew she couldn’t take care of me, so she left me with her parents. I never saw her again after I was six. Never knew my dad.” He looked down at the table, then lifted his head again. “Most people in this neck of the woods know I was raised by my grandparents. Folks don’t understand why I ever came back.”
“Oh!” Jennie’s eyes were wide and full of sympathy, something he hated. No one needed to feel sorry for him. He had been brought up with all the love in the world. “Why did you return? I would think you’d have stayed in Europe. It sounds so romantic and exciting.”
“It is and I was tempted.” He tucked his hands behind his back. “But then my grandpa needed someone to take care of him, so I came home. It was a good decision.” He paused. “I’d been away long enough.”
He saw respect in their eyes and straightened his shoulders. “I’ll let you get on with your lunch. If you want dessert, we have a carrot cake or apple pie. Can’t go wrong with either.”
“I’ll have some of that pie,” John said. “A scoop of ice cream on the side, if you don’t mind.”
Nick grinned. “Pie warmed?”
“Is there any other way,” John said with a pleased nod. “How about you, girls?” He glanced at both women and the grandkids. “Anyone else want something sweet?”
“Cookies, cookies, cookies,” Brooke said, doing the cookie monster routine again.
Nick surprised the little girl by saying, “I’ll bring over a plate of Christmas cookies for the table.”
“Now you really did win her heart,” Jennie said, her big green eyes on him.
He flushed with pleasure. “I also have a special treat that might be more fun than cookies.”
“More fun than cookies?” Brooke chimed. “What is it?” She bounced in her seat.
“It’s a favorite activity for guests of all ages.” He smiled at their mystified expressions and wary faces. “Who likes roasting marshmallows in a campfire?”
“I do,” Katie clapped her hands. “Can we, Mom?”
“Yes! Can we?” Brooke echoed her sister, bobbing her head up and down.
“I suppose so. Is this a trick to make us stay overnight?” Jennie’s eyes met his again. “Along with ice skating on ponds, and horse and buggy rides, you also know a place where they can have S’mores?”
“Most definitely.” He glanced at John and Louise silently seeking their permission. “Right here. We have the fire, and I have the sticks.” He winked at the two girls. “Dipped in chocolate sauce.”
“Awesome,” Katie jumped off her chair. “Can we Papa? Can we stay and roast marshmallows?”
“Well, since I’m having coffee and pie, I don’t see the harm in that. But we need to be out of here in an hour. Go see about you renting a car. While we’re waiting, Jennie, why don’t you give those insurance people a call and see what’s happening with that adjustor. You can’t be hanging around all day expecting him if he isn’t going to show up.” “I’ll do that. I’ll just step out for a minute.”
Her mother nodded. “Makes sense. We’ll take the kids home with us and you can get your rental car and swing by the police station and take care of that accident report. Without the distraction of two little girls around.” Louise glanced at Nick. “I’ll have a stick for S’mores too.”
“You’ve got it, Louise,” he said, sliding a hand on Jennie’s back, guiding her toward the entranceway. Out of hearing distance from the girls, he said, “I guess we’ll have to hold off on the skating until after the holidays. I didn’t want to mention it in front of them, but I see your parents are anxious to leave soon.”
“Yes, no skating today. But maybe on our return trip? Perhaps you could show me around and give me an idea on real estate prices in this area. It might be less expensive than living in the city.”
“I’d like that. And trust me, it is cheaper. Safer too.”
When Jennie made a move to go outside to make her call, he put a hand on her arm. “You can make the call right here, no sense stepping outside in the cold. There’s only one other table left and they’ll be leaving soon.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes twinkled at him. S’mores? Right here?” Her lips curved into a smile. “You’re really something.”
His pulse kicked into high gear. He thought she was really something too, and would like an opportunity to get to know her better. It had been a long time since he’d met someone that interested him this much. “I’ll be closing the restaurant after you all leave. If you wouldn’t mind my company I could tag along with you when you go to the police station. After all, I did give them the preliminary report. Then I could drop you off at one of the car rental places.”
“Sounds good. I’d like that.”
Nick left to get the cookies and sticks for the girls, and then returned in time to hear Jennie tell her parents that an insurance adjustor was out on another call but he hoped to make it to Heaven by four this afternoon.
“So, Mom, Dad, it looks like I’ll be late. Don’t hold dinner. I ate enough this afternoon. And I might help myself to a marshmallow or two.”
Nick put the festive plate of shortbread cookies on the table, and handed out the sticks to the girls and Louise. “Better get one for you too.”
“No need. My girls will share.” She glanced at their excited faces, happy for the moment that they were enjoying themselves, and the accident was mostly forgotten.
“It might be close to your bedtime by the time I catch up with you all,” she told her kids. “You promise to be good at Grandma’s? You’ll go to bed when you’re asked, even if I’m not there to tuck you in?”
“Sure, Mommy.” Katie took Brooke’s hand. “Nana and Papa can read us our bedtime story. And we’ll brush our teeth and everything.” She grinned. “We will be so good that Santa will bring us lots of presents!”
“I’m sure he will,” their grandmother said with a laugh. “And I can’t wait for you to see our tree. We got an extra big one this year, and there’s a small one in your room too.”
“It’s going to be the best Christmas ever,” Brooke said, forgetting about her father for a minute. Then the smile left her sweet face. “But what about Daddy? He’s in heaven. Why isn’t he here?”
“It’s not this Heaven,” Katie answered, shooting her mother a look. “It’s the one up in the stars.”
“I think he’s here,” Brooke said with a stubborn tilt to her head. “Don’t you?” she asked Nick, as if for support.
“Hard to say.” He glanced at their faces, treading carefully. “I think people who’ve left us are always close by. They never go away completely…we just can’t see them anymore.”
“I want him here,” Brooke said with a pout. “And I’m going to find him.”
“He’s right here,” Nick pointed to her sweater, “in your heart. He’ll always be with you. Anytime you want to talk to him, you can. Just because you can’t see him, doesn’t mean he can’t hear.”
“Mom says that too. Can I talk to him now?” she asked.
“That’s up to your mom.” He tur
ned his eyes to Jennie and felt himself going into a downhill slide. Something about her called to him, and he didn’t feel quite as complete as he’d always thought.
“Why don’t you wait until you’re home at Grandma’s, honey? Bedtime, or when you’re brushing your teeth, or having a bath. Quiet time works best.” Jennie’s auburn hair, just a shade darker than her daughters, caught the light from the fireplace.
Nick nodded. “I’ll get the pie and the fixings for the S’mores, and then you all can be on your way.” He was glad to be able to escape. The child looked near tears and he couldn’t bear to see anyone cry. It had been hard enough listening to Jennie earlier, though she seemed happy now. His plan had worked.
He grabbed a package of marshmallows and a few more forks for roasting, and rushed them back out to the table. “Pie and dipping sauce coming right up. John, you think you can handle this S’more thing?”
“I’ve done it a time or two. Take your time with the pie. I might have my hands full for awhile.”
Ally had given her last check to the table of girls who were getting ready to depart, then came to their table to remove their plates. She returned with small side dishes and warmed up chocolate sauce, then picked up a stick. “You girls must be very special,” she said with an amused look. “We usually only do this late at night. Sometimes when everyone is gone, Nick, Byron and me put our feet up on the table and have a roasted marshmallow feast.” She glanced over at Byron who was getting ready to leave then turned back to them. “You guys need any help?”
With a grateful expression, John handed over the stick. “Looks like I won’t have to wait for that pie after all.”
An hour later the girls had eaten so many marshmallows and cookies they were getting sleepy. Nick had bustled back and forth between the fireplace and the kitchen, cleaning up and making sure that his dinner menu was well under way. He wouldn’t have much prep time when he returned in a few hours.
John yawned and straightened up. “If we stay any longer we’re all going to need a nap.”
Louise stood. “I’ll take the girls to the ladies room, and then we should be on our way.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost three.”
“I’ll take Jennie to the police station and to get her rental car. With any luck this adjustor will get here in good time and not keep her waiting.” Actually he hoped that the adjustor didn’t make it here at all. Maybe he could convince her to stay the night, if she didn’t have the guilty influence of her parents and children around. But those thoughts were better kept unspoken.
What that would mean for the evening ahead he had no idea. He had no expectations, and very few wishes. But he hadn’t been with a woman like her in a long while. He dated now and then, but it was mostly light-hearted fun between two consenting adults. He hadn’t felt anything close to this good with any of them. Once before he’d felt a deep connection and thought he’d met the love of his lifetime, only to find out during their engagement that she was having an affair.
He knew Jennie wasn’t ready to love again. She still grieved for her husband. Yet only a short while ago their eyes had connected as he’d popped a perfect golden marshmallow into her mouth. Her cheeks had grown warm and rosy and he knew with certainty that it wasn’t the fire that had created her glow.
CHAPTER SEVEN
After the girls left with her parents, Nick locked the doors and Jennie followed him out back to his Jeep. He opened the passenger door and because it was a step up, he put a hand on her arm to help her in. She was five foot eight and probably could do well without his assistance, but she welcomed his touch and sweet attention. Was it Nick himself that made her hunger to be touched, or the fact that she missed her husband terribly—the human contact, or at least male human contact? She couldn’t answer that question, and didn’t care to explore it too deeply.
Instead, she smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” When she was seated, he was still standing there watching her. Her heart skipped and she wasn’t sure what she wanted. To bend over and kiss him? What would his lips taste like? Marshmallows and mint probably. She remembered his nearness as she sat bleeding in her car. His aftershave, his minty breath. She longed to taste his mouth to find out.
“What?” He grinned, his brown eyes flashing with humor. “You’re staring at me like you have a question.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I was? Sorry, I have all sorts of questions. I can’t imagine why you’re not married. No steady girlfriend?”
“No. I know a few girls in town, but no one special.”
“Never been married? No little Nick juniors hiding in the wings?”
His grin widened. “No and no. Was engaged once. It didn’t work out.”
“Well, that was her loss.” She pulled her coat around her a little more snugly, surprised by her boldness and almost ashamed of it too. “We better get going. You don’t have long before you need to be back here.”
“That’s true.” He closed her door and hopped around the back, sliding in beside her. He turned on the heat and glanced at the radio. “Christmas music or some country?”
“Who have you got?” she asked as he hit the CD player.
“Brad Paisley, LeAnne Rhimes, Faith Hill.”
“Doesn’t matter. I like them all.” She gave him a quick smile. “I had to listen to Christmas tunes for four hours driving here. Must have heard “Here Comes Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman at least a dozen times.”
“Oh, that’s just cruel.”
“And unusual punishment,” she added. “But it kept the girls happy and not squabbling. Then we had a big stretch of “I spy” that kept us amused for a good half hour. Guess we spotted about a dozen red cars, but no deer.” She lowered her voice, “Brooke wasn’t hoping to see a deer or a moose.”
He laughed. “You’re a good mother, and they are very sweet children.” He darted his eyes toward her before they got on the highway. “Do you mind me asking what happened to their father?”
She licked her lips and her heart thudded fast. She hadn’t talked about it for some time. Everyone in her circle of friends already knew. Talking about Daniel was never easy. She clasped her hands together and stared straight ahead.
She released a sigh, knowing it was an innocent question and one that deserved to be answered. “Daniel was a co-captain in the navy and he was on a training exercise. In Norfolk, where we live. His helicopter hit a flock of birds. It went down.” She spoke in short, clipped sentences, keeping emotion out of it. Sticking to the details was essential in the telling of this story. “Everyone on board died. Six naval officers. That was last January.” She glanced at his face to see how he was taking this news. “It was a routine training flight. They have hundreds a day. It was such a shock. I mean if he’d been in Afghanistan or something, one might expect a tragedy like this. But not here. Not on home turf.” She blinked back tears and her voice was thick. “It was just so awful.”
So much for keeping her emotions intact! But Nick deserved more than just her usual blurb. He was kind and caring, and willing or not, he was involved with her and the girls.
“Yes, it was.” He darted her a glance.
“I’m sorry.” She put a hand over her mouth. Nick swerved to the side of the road and gathered her close for a hug.
“I’m the one who’s sorry,” he said gently. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
She sniffed, but didn’t pull away. “It’s okay. I thought it would be easy telling you after all this time. And you have a right to know.”
“You are a strong woman. Trust me, eventually the pain will lessen. You’ll be happy again.” He kissed the top of her head and ran a comforting hand down her back over the winter coat. “It has to be really tough on you and the kids. I’m glad you’re moving back to Philly to be near your parents. It’ll be good for all of you.”
“Yes.” She lifted her chin and her eyes met his. “You’re so kind. Thank you.” She fought the urge to sink her head in his chest
and have a really good cry. The accident…the lack of sleep…she was mentally and physically exhausted. Her mother was right about that.
Instead she pulled away with a final sniff. He put the car in gear and got back on the road. “It shouldn’t take long at the police station. We’ll get you that rental car. Hope the adjustor doesn’t keep you waiting.”
“Me too. I’m wiped. Feel like I could sleep for hours.”
“Maybe you’d be better off spending a night alone at the Inn. Get some rest. Christmas is a busy time, and you’ve been through quite an ordeal. Not just yesterday’s accident, but for the whole year. You don’t want to wear yourself out for the holiday. You’d be a happier Santa after eight hours of shut-eye.”
After last night’s terrible rest? “I know. If the guy’s late, I just might do that.”
“Here we are.” He pulled into a parking lot where two squad cars sat in front of a small brick building. Heaven Police Station.
“This is it?” It was the size of a very small post office.
“It’s more than they need.” He cracked a smile. “We have no crime in Heaven. Not so much as a jaywalking ticket.” Nick rubbed a hand over his jaw. “That’s the truth, Jen. This is the safest place on earth.”
“Nice,” she said and opened her door. The crisp winter air caught her attention. “Okay. Let’s get this done.”
The initial report was pulled up in minutes and her information recorded. She was given a copy for her records and they kept the original. “That’s all?” she asked.
“Yup. Told you. Easy as pie.”
Then they were on their way to Hertz, and after a quick deliberation she decided on a Honda Pilot for the week. Plenty of room for the girls, booster seats and all.
He glanced at his watch and noticed it was close to four. “Well, that didn’t take long. You’ll be at the station in plenty of time, although the adjustor could start without you.”
“I wonder what he does exactly? The mechanic already knows what’s wrong. Does he just verify it?”
“Pretty much. He needs to do his own inspection for the insurance records, making sure they don’t get ripped off. Want me to stick around? Everything’s prepared for dinner tonight. No prep necessary.”
A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Page 5